Developing a Mixed Theoretical Framework from the Interaction of the Space- Syntax Theory and the Behavior Setting Theory In Order To Compare the Behavioral-Movement Patterns within the Residential Environments of Tehran: Case Study of Nārmak, Yoosefābād and Shahrake Gharb

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD, School of Architecture, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 Associate Professor, School of Architecture, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

3 Professor, School of Architecture and Environments, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background: Designing settlements and their formation patterns have always been one of the controversial topics in the architecture and planning. However, the reverberation of these patterns on forming the spatial structures in the residential layouts was the focal point of this research. The main aim of the current paper was to present a new framework based on the space syntax theory and to bridge it with the behavior setting theory.
Objectives: This paper attempts to provide a basis for the study of the behavioral-movement patterns within the residential and urban fabric using its proposed theoretical framework. A review of the concepts and themes of the space syntax suggests that this theory is not capable of fully covering the behavioral-movement patterns within the fabrics and does not make such a claim. Ecological psychology, on the other hand, has been disintegrated in its Signomorphic sense.
Method: In order to answer the main question, three suitable residential layouts have been chosen in Tehran as case studies: Nārmak, Yousefābād, and Shahrake Gharb. Moreover, the current situation of these communities, considering their private, semi-private, and public spaces were modeled in the depth map software which was developed by the space syntax research group at UCL. Afterwards, these layouts were observed during a four months' period.
Result: comparing the results obtained from the depth map models and the experiments revealed the gap between the space syntax theory and the reality. To fill in this gap, Roger Barker's behavioral settings theory, which has the ability to provide the close-to-reality interpretations in the space syntax, was used.
Conclusion: Comparing the Depth Map models with the observations revealed that the configuration of the residential layouts has a causal relation with the formation of the spatial-physical structure. The integration analysis, based on the space syntax methodological– conceptual framework is able to predict the general movement patterns of the residents. However, when it comes to the behavioral patterns, the signomorphy between the physics and behavior can provide a more accurate prediction. 

Highlights

Comparison of all the three cases based on the indicators mentioned in the theory of space syntax and Barker's Behavior setting theory

Using the two different approaches in the research on the behavioral patterns in the neighborhoods of Tehran, measuring the gaps and weaknesses in the spatial syntax theory, attempting to address its shortcomings, and presenting a comprehensive theory of the ecological psychology using Roger Barker’s Behavior setting theory

Keywords

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 20 July 2019
  • Revise Date: 08 February 2020
  • Accept Date: 09 February 2020

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