Investigating the Urban Spatial Growth by Using Space Syntax and GIS—A Case Study of Famagusta City

Abstract

Urban morphology studies generally study how a city grows and transforms to embody its embedded history. This study examines the potentials of using space syntax and GIS methods to study the morphological evolution of traditional city centers throughout the historical periods. Using space syntax properties, human activities and movement patterns in the city can be investigated, typically by considering the degree to which urban spaces are integrated and connected. Through the syntactic analysis of street networks, urban planners can derive a better comprehending of the evolution of urban growth, and gain new insights to help with the new urban development. Space syntax theory and tools can extend the modeling capabilities of GIS, particularly in terms of the development of new advances and experimentation in the analysis of street network systems. Indeed, this study brings academic rigor and attention to details in the spatial growth and morphological evolution in the case of Famagusta city. The finding of this study will redound to the advantage of society considering that socio-economic processes and physical configuration play a significant role in the evolution of a city.