Influence of the Global Urban Grid on Natural Movement within a Local Public Space

Abstract

An urban centre acts as the interface of economic activities and people and represents diversity, which can grow or decline over time. Here, we review the literature to explain the factors supporting and obstructing urbanisation based on three theories on urban morphology: theory of natural movement, theory of movement economy and theory of spatial centrality. Two research questions were then formulated to explain the morphological logic of urbanisation and the influence of the global movement grid on local natural movement, which are key factors supporting the growth and decline of each local neighbourhood within the city. The selected case study was Nakhon Si Thammarat Old Town at the global and local levels and the space syntax theory was chosen for analysis. The results indicated that the spatial configuration of the global movement grid influence urbanisation and local natural movement the most. Therefore, local public spaces must be designed to support the global movement grid, which is fed by natural movement and influenced by the global morphological structure.

Factors Influencing the Preservation of Historic City Centers: The Case of Old Town of Sakon Nakhon City, Thailand

“…This would facilitate the circulation of people and the continuous distribution of various activities (Rattanathavorn, Paksukcharern, & Peerapun, 2013). Thinnakorn & Chanklap (2022) studied the characteristics of the urban grid in the old town district of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, to explain the factors contributing to the current deterioration of the old town. The research found that, firstly, the old town had a concentration of negative attractors, primarily religious and government land use, which hindered the movement economy.…”

“…The research found that, firstly, the old town had a concentration of negative attractors, primarily religious and government land use, which hindered the movement economy. This resulted in a shift of the city's center to areas with higher accessibility (Thinnakorn, Chanklap, 2022). Lv, Wang, & Huang (2023) examined the ancient town of Xixing, a canal town that used to be a center for trade in the east Zhejiang Province, China.…”

“…Conversely, the decline of urban cores also contributes to environmental degradation, particularly in historic city centers that were once the centers of cities. They are currently facing economic decline and population displacement resulting in the abandonment of valuable architectural heritage, and rapid deterioration (Thinnakorn & Chanklap, 2022), which are considered negative impacts on the image of the city (Wilson & Kelling, 2011;Jamme, Bahl, & Banerjee, 2018;Millie, 2008).…”

Comparative Analysis of Yas Island Master Plans between 2020 and 2030 using Space Syntax

“…This is an application of space syntax to the practice of urban design (Zaleckis, Chmielewski et al, 2022). Thinnakorn and Chanklap (2022) argued that Local public spaces must be designed to support the global movement grid, provided by natural movement and influenced by the global morphological structure. The study was carried out using Space Syntax in Nakhon Si Thammarat Old Town; the results demonstrated a direct influence of the spatial configuration of the global movement grid on urbanization and local natural movement.…”