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Cited by 145Urban Design and Spatial AnalysisUrban Transport and AccessibilityPlace Attachment and Urban Studies

Designing a Liveable Compact City: Physical Forms of City and Social Life in Urban Neighbourhoods

Raman, Shibu·2010·Built Environment
DOI 10.2148/benv.36.1.63
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Abstract

This paper reports findings from recent research examining the relationship between urban design and layout and aspects of social and communal life in urban neighbourhoods. To address this, six UK neighbourhoods of varying densities and layouts were selected for detailed investigation. Data on social interactions, social activities and social networks along with perceptions of the built and social environment of the neighbourhoods were collected through observations, questionnaire surveys and secondary data sources. Neighbourhood design and layout were analysed using spatial network and visibility graph analysis methods. Correlation and multiple regression tests were conducted to test the claimed associations. Findings indicate differences between socializing patterns and structure of social networks in high- and low-density areas. Low-density areas were associated with widely spread social networks and activities with very few strong relationships. In high-density neighbourhoods, respondents had small networks but stronger ties were found. Detailed investigation shows that much of this can be attributed to, among other physical factors: the location of public spaces, visibility from and to these spaces, visual links between neighbourhoods', typology and physical form of development rather than density alone. This indicates that some of the negative social impacts found within high-density urban development might be rectified with better design of neighbourhoods. It is clear that to deliver sustainable development, the compact city will have to be designed with specific spatial and built environment characteristics.

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Authors
Raman, S.
Corresponding author
Raman, Shibu
Venue
Built Environment
Publisher
Alexandrine Press
Published
2010-03-30
Volume
36
Issue
1
Pages
63-80
ISSN
0263-7960 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.2148/benv.36.1.63
OpenAlex
W1994347823
Cited by
145
References
47
Citations by year
2026: 13 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 7
FWCI
11.83
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Built Environment (publishedVersion)
  • ORCA Online Research @Cardiff (Cardiff University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Building and Construction › Urban Design and Spatial Analysis
  • Social Sciences › Transportation › Urban Transport and Accessibility
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Place Attachment and Urban Studies
Keywords
compact city, social networks, social interaction, neighborhood density, urban layout, public space, visibility, spatial networks, visibility graph, social life, sustainable development, built environment perception

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