Noise and Spatial Configuration in Biskra, Algeria—A Space Syntax Approach to Understand the Built Environment for Visually Impaired People

Walid-Mahfoud Djenaihi, Noureddine Zemmouri, Moussadek Djenane and Akkelies van Nes
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Walid-Mahfoud Djenaihi: Laboratory of LACOMOFA, Department of Architecture, University of Mohamed Khider, Biskra 07000, Algeria
Noureddine Zemmouri: Laboratory of LACOMOFA, Department of Architecture, University of Mohamed Khider, Biskra 07000, Algeria
Moussadek Djenane: Laboratory of LACOMOFA, Department of Architecture, University of Mohamed Khider, Biskra 07000, Algeria
Akkelies van Nes: Department of Civil Engineering, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, 5020 Bergen, Norway

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 19, 1-24

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.

Keywords: sound pressure level; spatial configuration; axial map; visual impairment; space syntax; spatial accessibility (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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