The use of parametric methods for delineating the morphology of urban fabric on the example of Vasileostrovsky District of Saint Petersburg

Abstract

This article provides the results of continuous zoning of Vasileostrovsky District of Saint Petersburg using the methods that are based on the systems of interconnected quantitative parameters, such as floor area ratio and building density coefficient. These include Spacmatrix (description of building density) and MXI (functional classification). The aforementioned methods are convenient for determination of the morphological types of buildings and differentiation of the zones of implementation of various urban planning policies; however, in Russia they are not widespread, and are used mainly for selecting the alternatives of urban planning solutions for a separate land plot or block. The continuous zoning patterns for the large diversified urban development are published for the first time. Comparison of the acquired patterns with the results obtained using historical and genetic analysis of the morphological development sites, as well as with the functional zoning of the draft Master Plan of Saint Petersburg from 2021 through 2048 demonstrated that the parametric methods allow a more accurate delineation of boundaries of morphological districts and describe the morphotypes of development. The article discusses the factors of the detected discrepancies and the limitations of methods used in creation of planning documents; as well as the requirements for the quality of the base data, sequence of implementation of Spacmatrix and MXI methods, and their alignment with the traditional methods for determination of the morphological types of development.