Noise and Spatial Configuration in Biskra, Algeria

A Space Syntax Approach to Understand the Built Environment for Visually Impaired People

Journal article (2021)

Authors

Walid‐Mahfoud Djenaihi University of Mohamed Khider
Noureddine Zemmouri University of Mohamed Khider
Moussadek Djenane University of Mohamed Khider
A. van Nes Spatial Planning and Strategy - Architecture and the Built Environment , Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
Research Group
Spatial Planning and Strategy (Architecture and the Built Environment) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2021 Walid‐Mahfoud Djenaihi, Noureddine Zemmouri, Moussadek Djenane, A. van Nes
DOI
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https://doi.org/10.3390/su131911009
Spatial configuration Spatial accessibility Visual impairment Space syntax Axial map Sound pressure level
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Published Date

2021

Language

English

Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Department

Urbanism

Research Group

Spatial Planning and Strategy

Abstract

This contribution investigates the correlation between street noise levels and the spatial configuration of the street network in four different types of neighbourhoods in the Algerian city of Biskra. Space syntax methods are used to analyse spatial relationships, where accessibility, intelligibility, and legibility of urban spaces can be evaluated. The degree of spatial integration is used as an accessibility indicator and is correlated with recorded noise level data at 154 points from the selected neighbourhoods. As the results show, there are strong correlations between spatial integration and recorded sound pressures on streets and roads in colonial and unplanned neighbourhoods. The reason is that these types of neighbourhoods have a street network with high correlations between street connectivity and global spatial integration. There are weak correlations between connectivity and global spatial integration throughout the modern planned neighbourhood, which again affects the correlation between noise and space. The experiment shows that space syntax methods have the potential to predict degrees of accessibility and orientability for people with visual impairments in urban planning.