Spatially Transformed Social Networks Model

To what extend the way that social ties are articulated could be an explanatory variable for the formation of space? What type/architecture of citizens' connectivity leads to an urban sustainable ecosystem? What formula can be a satisfactory model for interpreting and confronting the problems of contemporary production of urban space? The aim of this research is to investigate potential correlations between specific types of social networks and emergent spatial patterns. For this purpose, the research generates and introduces the Spatially Transformed Social Networks model (STSN). The STSN model is an abstract agent based model which simulates space production processes. The input is a dataset of social networks' relationships. Agents' behaviour is determined by social and environmental interactions which in turn are essentially determined by crucial rules. The output of the model is an abstract diagram which depicts spatially distributed objects. The findings are significant to the extent that they bring to light a promising research field which could lead to a new Science of Cities via an entirely new approach of urban planning.

Autorentext

Stylianos K. Tsaparas, MArch, MRes, is an architect & spatial data analyst who conducts research in the area of urban design, investigating correlations between types of social networks and emergent spatial patterns. He is the creator of the Spatially Transformed Social Networks (STSN) model.