Connecting movement and place: A human-focused and science-based approach

Abstract This presentation introduces Space Syntax as a science-based and human-focused approach to urban planning that integrates multiple disciplines including urban design, transport planning, land use economics and environmental engineering. It presents techniques of data analytics and predictive computing to shape the social, economic and environmental impacts of development at all scales. In the context of designing human centred mobility systems, it’s not just the infrastructure system requirements shaping the environment, but the needs of the people using it. This understanding has been reinforced by the lessons learned from many examples of modernist planning which prioritised vehicles over pedestrians and did not lead to sustainable outcomes in terms of the creation of accessible places which are easy to use by pedestrians.

Speaker’s bio

Anna Rose is an architect and urban planner with particular expertise in advising on mixed-use masterplans and public realm projects.Trained in Germany and the UK, she joined Space Syntax in 2002, becoming a partner and board director in 2007. In addition to her work in the UK, Anna leads the company’s design and consulting activities in the USA and continental Europe. She speaks regularly at industry and academic events worldwide and is an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at University College London. Anna is a member of the UK Academy of Urbanism. She has recently been appointed to join Cabe’s Panel of Built Environment Experts, which advises on the design of high profile development and public realm infrastructure projects. Anna has extensive experience in advising both private and public sector clients on spatially complex masterplanning projects, with a particular focus on the design of effective human behaviour patterns. Her expertise targets the optimisation of spatial connectivity for the benefit of pedestrians, cyclists (walkability, safety and conviviality) and local neighbourhood and retail sustainability (proximity to footfall, density of amenity, transaction potential).