The role of graph theory in street network analysis and modelling: from theory to application, case study: the worn-out texture of Rasht City

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M.A Student, Department of Urban Planning, University of Guilan

2 Ph.D, Assistant Professor, Department of Urban Planning and Design, Faculty of Art and Architecture, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

Abstract

Background:
There are several approaches for modelling and representing the spatial network, but there is a lack of study about the relationship between the approaches. Thus, in the network modelling phase, researchers are often unaware of the diversity of approaches in other areas of urban research and pursue previous research in their field. Worn-out urban tissues are vulnerable to natural disasters due to low connectivity and difficult accessibility. In this regard, the geometric modification of the street network without clear prioritization will increase the costs of urban management and lead to low efficiency in the field of risk management.
Objectives:
The present study tries to reduce travel distance, increase accessibility and connectivity by prioritizing different scenarios of interventions in the field of geometric modification after examining the theoretical fields of spatial network modelling and representation.
Method:
To clarify the role and application of graph theory in network modelling, qualitative content analysis was used and then the re-blocking model was tested in one of the contexts of Rasht City. In this regard, complexity index (dual graph), topological optimization (relevant algorithm), geometric optimization (relevant algorithm and programming in Matlab software), centrality and connectivity (Space Syntax software) were measured.
Results:
The results of the qualitative content analysis indicate that the use of the dual graph will be appropriate to determine the morphological features of the urban layout. The complexity index was 8 in the studied block, which was reduced to 2 through topological optimization. Using geometric optimization, the average travel distance was reduced from 17.4 to 10.68.
Conclusion:
The findings of the present study can be considered in regeneration projects to create resilient areas.
Keywords: Topology, Optimization, Worn-out tissues, resilience, Street network.
Highlight:
• Reducing the vulnerability of worn-out regions by designing resilient networks
• Investigating the changes by programming in MATLAB Software

Keywords

References

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Urban Planning Knowledge
Volume 5, Issue 4
December 2021
Pages 213-237

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History

  • Receive Date: 02 February 2021
  • Revise Date: 18 May 2021
  • Accept Date: 15 July 2021

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