Evaluating changes in spatial configuration in Makassar: A space syntax approach

Abstract

As cities expand, their morphology and spatial configuration evolve, necessitating the integration of new spatial plans with existing ones to preserve urban identity. Understanding these changes is crucial for sustainable urban development and effective spatial planning. This study examines spatial transformations in Makassar, Indonesia, following the implementation of a new spatial plan. Using the space syntax method, specifically Angular Segment Analysis (ASA), key spatial properties – including integration, intelligibility, and accessibility – were assessed. ASA was employed to address the lack of geometric information by weighting segment lines according to their angular connections. The findings indicate that as the city grows, overall intelligibility and accessibility tend to decline. However, an increase in local intelligibility and accessibility suggests that well-planned urban design can mitigate these effects, enhancing spatial intelligibility and accessibility. These insights underscore the role of spatial configuration in shaping urban dynamics and highlight the need for a holistic planning approach to maintain integration, intelligibility, and accessibility.