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Land
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Urban Morphology: A Perspective from Space (Second Edition)
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Urban Morphology: A Perspective from Space (Second Edition)

A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Urban Contexts and Urban-Rural Interactions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 7009

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Marco Maretto

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Engineering and Architecture, Università di Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy
Interests: urban design; urban morphology; sustainability; public space; new technologies; water cities
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Nicola Marzot

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Department of Architecture, TU Delft (NL), 2628 BL Delft, The Netherlands
Interests: urban morphology; building typology; regeneration processes; infrastructure and territories

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Urban Morphology is a discipline born in the early Fifties of the 20th century as a tool for understanding the problems of the modern city. For the first time, the boundaries of the city clearly exceeded those of the historical one, which was no longer necessarily located in the “center”. For the first time, the logic through which the city had been built for millennia was thrown into crisis. It was the city of the new mass society, the society of large consumption, vehicular traffic, zoning. New methodological and conceptual tools and new theories were therefore necessary to gain understanding in order to guide the transformation processes. Today, once again, society is radically changing. It is the global society of the 21st century. The society of “networks”, of multilayer relationships, of data-driven processes, of ecology. An increasingly smart society that is rapidly transforming the spaces of its vitality, that is the city itself. We are perhaps witnessing the greatest urban phenomenon in human history and certainly the greatest socio-cultural and economic revolution of the modern era.

New tools are therefore needed to understand urban phenomena. A new theoretical–methodological framework, a new “horizon of meaning”, must therefore be defined to understand the complexity of the contemporary city. In this framework, Urban Morphology, due to its eminently “operational” nature, its potentially transdisciplinary character and its strong link with the world of scientific research, stands as a fundamental discipline for the knowledge and transformation of the 21st century city. It is no coincidence that all researchers, all public administrators and all professionals who deal with urban transformations are working in search of these “tools”. It is no coincidence that, throughout the world, there are numerous schools that deal with morphology. However, it needs to change radically.

The main goal of this issue is, on the one hand, to define the boundaries and disciplinary tools of a research that now boasts more than seventy years of history. On the other hand, to understand how these borders and these tools are transforming themselves to respond, effectively and dynamically, to the needs of society and the contemporary city.

The themes of technological innovation, smart transition and trans-disciplinarity are some of the new aspects that must become part of morphological research. Together with the environmental and ecological ones, they certainly constitute one of the major test benches of the new morphological discipline. However, it is not simply a matter of broadening the disciplinary horizon of Urban Morphology. It is a question of defining new theoretical-methodological bases and new analytical tools on which to ground the city's transformation project. In other words, it is a matter of building a new morphological discipline able of intercepting the needs of the new globalized society and translate them into physical places. A discipline that this issue tries to redefine through the contributions of leading experts in the sector, in the awareness of being able to provide a useful scientific basis for understanding and transforming the city in the 21st century.

University of Parma, Department of Engineering and Architecture/KAEBUP_Knowledge Alliance for Evidence Based Urban Practices. Co-Funded by the Erasmus + Program of the European Union.

Dr. Marco Maretto
Dr. Nicola Marzot
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Land is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • urban morphology
  • public space
  • urban design
  • new technologies
  • trans-disciplinarity

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

27 pages, 24858 KiB  
Article
Mobile Mapping System for Urban Infrastructure Monitoring: Digital Twin Implementation in Road Asset Management
by Vittorio Scolamiero, Piero Boccardo and Luigi La Riccia
Land 2025, 14(3), 597; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030597 - 12 Mar 2025
Viewed by 498
Abstract
In the age of digital twins, the digitalization of the urban environment is one of the key aspects in the optimization of urban management. The goal of urban digitalization is to provide a digital representation of physical infrastructure, data, information, and procedures for [...] Read more.
In the age of digital twins, the digitalization of the urban environment is one of the key aspects in the optimization of urban management. The goal of urban digitalization is to provide a digital representation of physical infrastructure, data, information, and procedures for the management of complex anthropogenic systems. To meet this new goal, one must be able to understand the urban system through the integrated use of different methods in a multi-level approach. In this context, mobile surveying is a consolidated method for data collection in urban environments. A recent innovation, the mobile mapping system (MMS), is a versatile tool used to collect geospatial data efficiently, accurately, and quickly, with reduced time and costs compared to traditional survey methods. This system combines various technologies such as GNSS (global navigation satellite system), IMU (inertial measurement unit), LiDAR (light detection and ranging), and high-resolution cameras to map and create three-dimensional models of the surrounding environment. The aim of this study was to analyze the limitations, possible implementations, and the state of the art of MMSs for road infrastructure monitoring in order to create a DT (digital twin) for road infrastructure management, with a specific focus on extracting value-added information from a survey dataset. The case study presented here was part of the Turin Digital Twin project. In this context, an MMS was tested in a specific area to evaluate its potential and integration with other data sources, adhering to the multi-level and multi-sensor approach of the DT project. A key outcome of this work was the integration of the extracted information into a comprehensive geodatabase, transforming raw geospatial data into a structured tool that supports predictive maintenance and strategic road asset management toward DT implementation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Morphology: A Perspective from Space (Second Edition))
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17 pages, 4264 KiB  
Article
Toward a Methodology of Spatial Neighborhood Evaluation to Uncover the “Invisible Spaces” in Neighborhoods Built Through State Initiatives Between 1945 and 1980
by Hadas Shadar and Dalit Shach-Pinsly
Land 2025, 14(1), 137; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14010137 - 10 Jan 2025
Viewed by 601
Abstract
This article examines the ideological and spatial characteristics of neighborhoods built through the initiative of various states, particularly in Europe, in the post-World War II years, from 1945 to 1980. We argue that despite these neighborhoods being older and subject to economic, professional, [...] Read more.
This article examines the ideological and spatial characteristics of neighborhoods built through the initiative of various states, particularly in Europe, in the post-World War II years, from 1945 to 1980. We argue that despite these neighborhoods being older and subject to economic, professional, and ideological criticism, they feature beneficial physical spaces that came to light, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. These spaces provided opportunities for well-being, relaxation, and community building during times of lockdown and restricted human movement in the built environment. However, residents discovered these spaces, which we term here as “invisible spaces”, through a bottom-up process, and these spaces remain largely unknown to planners or other external stakeholders. In this article, we detail the ideological, economic, and professional approaches that informed the initial planning of these neighborhoods, the contemporary criticisms they face, and the methodology for objectively and comprehensively assessing the quality of their spaces to uncover the “invisible spaces”. We argue that examining urban location, human spatial diversity, intra-neighborhood visibility, and walkability can provide insights into the neighborhood’s qualities and human activity within it, particularly revealing the potential for the emergence of these beneficial “invisible spaces”. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Morphology: A Perspective from Space (Second Edition))
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27 pages, 47304 KiB  
Article
Extracting Meso- and Microscale Patterns of Urban Morphology Evolution: Evidence from Binhai New Area of Tianjin, China
by Xiaojin Huang, Ran Cheng, Jun Wu, Wenjian Yang, Longhao Zhang, Pengbo Li and Wenzhe Zhu
Land 2024, 13(11), 1735; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13111735 - 23 Oct 2024
Viewed by 989
Abstract
Understanding and recognizing urban morphology evolution is a crucial issue in urban planning, with extensive research dedicated to detecting the extent of urban expansion. However, as urban development patterns shift from incremental expansion to stock optimization, related studies on meso- and microscale urban [...] Read more.
Understanding and recognizing urban morphology evolution is a crucial issue in urban planning, with extensive research dedicated to detecting the extent of urban expansion. However, as urban development patterns shift from incremental expansion to stock optimization, related studies on meso- and microscale urban morphology evolution face limitations such as insufficient spatiotemporal data granularity, poor generalizability, and inability to extract internal evolution patterns. This study employs deep learning and meso-/microscopic urban form indicators to develop a generic framework for extracting and describing the evolution of meso-/microscale urban morphology. The framework includes three steps: constructing specific urban morphology datasets, semantic segmentation to extract urban form, and mapping urban form evolution using the Tile-based Urban Change (TUC) classification system. We applied this framework to conduct a combined quantitative and qualitative analysis of the internal urban morphology evolution of Binhai New Area from 2009 to 2022, with detailed visualizations of morphology evolution at each time point. The study identified that different locations in the area exhibited seven distinct evolution patterns: edge areal expansion, preservation of developmental potential, industrial land development pattern, rapid comprehensive demolition and construction pattern, linear development pattern, mixed evolution, and stable evolution. The results indicate that in the stock development phase, high-density urban areas exhibit multidimensional development characteristics by region, period, and function. Our work demonstrates the potential of using deep learning and grid classification indicators to study meso-/microscale urban morphology evolution, providing a scalable, cost-effective, quantitative, and portable approach for historical urban morphology understanding. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Morphology: A Perspective from Space (Second Edition))
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20 pages, 21569 KiB  
Article
Correlations between an Urban Three-Dimensional Pedestrian Network and Service Industry Layouts Based on Graph Convolutional Neural Networks: A Case Study of Xinjiekou, Nanjing
by Xinyu Hu, Ruxia Bai, Chen Li, Beixiang Shi and Hui Wang
Land 2024, 13(10), 1553; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13101553 - 25 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1198
Abstract
Urban high-density development has led to the emergence of complex three-dimensional pedestrian networks. As a crucial component of city centers, these networks significantly influence the spatial distribution of service industries. Understanding the correlation between pedestrian networks and service industry layouts is vital for [...] Read more.
Urban high-density development has led to the emergence of complex three-dimensional pedestrian networks. As a crucial component of city centers, these networks significantly influence the spatial distribution of service industries. Understanding the correlation between pedestrian networks and service industry layouts is vital for effective planning and development. This study proposes a technical framework for analyzing the relationship between three-dimensional pedestrian networks and service industry layouts. Using the Xinjiekou central area in Nanjing as a case study, we constructed a three-dimensional pedestrian network model using the sDNA method. Focusing on catering formats, we introduced a method to study the spatial distribution characteristics of service industries in three-dimensional spaces and employed a graph convolutional network model to systematically analyze the correlation between pedestrian network closeness and betweenness with catering formats. The results indicate that pedestrian network closeness is significantly positively correlated with the number and average spending of catering formats, while betweenness shows almost no correlation. High-closeness areas, due to their traffic convenience and walkability, are more conducive to the concentration of catering formats and higher spending levels. Our findings provide valuable insights for catering format location decisions and the optimization of three-dimensional pedestrian networks, contributing to sustainable urban development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Morphology: A Perspective from Space (Second Edition))
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29 pages, 18024 KiB  
Article
Uncovering Urban Palimpsest through Descriptive and Analytical Approaches to Urban Morphology—Understanding the Ottoman Urban Fabric of Bursa, Türkiye
by Elif Sarihan and Éva Lovra
Land 2024, 13(9), 1435; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13091435 - 5 Sep 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1135
Abstract
This study examines the transformation of the urban fabric by analyzing changes in both structural and numerical parameters of spatial organization, with a particular emphasis on the hierarchical relationships between streets, blocks, and buildings. The research utilizes Bursa, the former Ottoman capital in [...] Read more.
This study examines the transformation of the urban fabric by analyzing changes in both structural and numerical parameters of spatial organization, with a particular emphasis on the hierarchical relationships between streets, blocks, and buildings. The research utilizes Bursa, the former Ottoman capital in Turkey, as a case study to explore these dynamics. The elements of streets, blocks, and buildings are posited as fundamental components in conceptualizing cities as layered palimpsests, where successive historical layers coexist within the urban fabric. The research establishes a conceptual parallel between the methodologies and analytical tools of urban morphology, particularly through the shared notion of the palimpsest. In the case of Bursa, the architectural remains and urban form of the Early, Classical, and Late Ottoman periods and of the Republican period are superimposed. In particular, the late Ottoman reform era, the Tanzimat period of the 19th century, brought great change. Historical maps from this era serve as primary sources for comprehending the evolving character and spatial configuration of the city. This research presents a novel methodological contribution by extending the analytical framework of urban morphology to integrate both qualitative and quantitative data. It employs Geographic Information Systems (GISs) and statistical methods to quantify changes in the urban fabric, assessing both pre-modernization and post-modernization phases. Historical maps from the 19th century are utilized as primary sources to trace and compare transformations within the urban fabric, with clustering techniques further aiding this analysis. The findings provide a deeper understanding of the dynamic processes that shape the historic structure of cities, offering a dual approach to urban transformation that harmonizes historical continuity with modern development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Morphology: A Perspective from Space (Second Edition))
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27 pages, 21709 KiB  
Article
Exploring Characteristics and Patterns of In Situ Space Morphology: Perspective of the Historical and Cultural Canal Settlement
by Guangmeng Bian, Yan Zhao and Jianwei Yan
Land 2024, 13(8), 1119; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13081119 - 23 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1374
Abstract
During the development and evolution of settlements, space morphology created unique local cultural features and played an important role in guiding rural planning in the context of new-type urban development. The in situ characteristics of the space morphology of the ancient historical and [...] Read more.
During the development and evolution of settlements, space morphology created unique local cultural features and played an important role in guiding rural planning in the context of new-type urban development. The in situ characteristics of the space morphology of the ancient historical and cultural towns along the Grand Canal of China reflect the prints of the local culture and history over thousands of years and integrate modern life and the cultural memories of the citizens there. Using Yangliuqing Town, a famous historical and cultural town, as an example, this study quantitatively analyzes the in situ characteristics of the space morphology. It applies the UAV 3D model, POI data, actual site measurements, and other data to establish detailed models of the streets and lanes, quantifies the in situ characteristics of the space morphology of the streets and lanes in terms of space organizational characteristics and VGA manifestation, analyzes the influencing factors of the characteristics of in situ space morphology, and proposes guidelines for renewing ancient towns according to the in situ characteristics of space morphology. The research results indicate that ① multidimensional factors influencing the historical development of the research area have been clarified for the three aspects of its status as a canal transport hub, canal settlement industries, and traditional residential courtyards in ancient towns; ② the in situ space morphology of the streets in Yangliuqing Town is reflected in three aspects such as the core guiding and control of historical and cultural resources, the inherent influence of space element layout, and the attractiveness of street space; ③ it extracts the guidelines for the renewal of the ancient towns in terms of the space morphology strategy, the environmental element strategy, the interface attribute strategy, and the business attribute strategy. The research methods and conclusions boast great significance for clarifying the characteristics of the space morphology of the ancient towns along the Grand Canal and improving the practice of preservation there. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Morphology: A Perspective from Space (Second Edition))
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