Space Syntax OpenMapping arrow_back

Space Syntax OpenMapping is a pre-processed spatial network model of Great Britain, containing many common space syntax measures.

Space syntax is a set of techniques for analysing spatial layouts and human activity patterns in buildings and urban areas. It is also a set of theories linking space and society. Space syntax addresses where people are, how they move, how they adapt, how they develop and how they talk about it.

Space Syntax Limited applies this technology to analyse and forecast the impact of planning, transport, economic and design decisions on people and property for all scales of development.

For more information about Space Syntax Limited click here.

To learn more about space syntax techniques visit our Training page.

The Measures

Choice

Choice is based on the graph measure of Betweenness Centrality. Space syntax adapts this to measure how often a street segment appears on the simplest route between all other street segments in the network. The simplest route is defined as the route that undergoes the least total change in direction from start point to end point when linking all segments within a defined distance - e.g. 2,000m, 10,000m. We have included choice in the dataset as it often describes the distribution of movement. At 2,000m this will identify where pedestrian movement is likely to be higher, at 10km it will identify where vehicular movement is likely to be higher.

Integration

Integration is based on the graph measure of Closeness Centrality. Space syntax adapts this to measure the number of street segments within a defined distance, accounting for their distance and change in direction from the starting segment. We have included Integration as it describes patterns of centrality.

Limitations

Space Syntax OpenMapping was originally created from a simplified street centreline network in 2018. This simplified dataset does not include all streets or pedestrian spaces. There may also be recently completed urban development missing from the dataset. This affects local scale choice measures most, and the dataset should not be used in isolation to address questions around pedestrian movement within cities.

Access the Data

The dataset is available for students and researchers to use. Please contact us here using the subject OpenMapping to request the data.