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

Author

Listed:
  • 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
    Department of Urbanism, Faculty of Architecture, TU Delft, 2628 BL Delft, The Netherlands)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Walid-Mahfoud Djenaihi & Noureddine Zemmouri & Moussadek Djenane & Akkelies van Nes, 2021. "Noise and Spatial Configuration in Biskra, Algeria—A Space Syntax Approach to Understand the Built Environment for Visually Impaired People," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-24, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:19:p:11009-:d:649793
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Akkelies van Nes & Claudia Yamu, 2020. "Exploring Challenges in Space Syntax Theory Building: The Use of Positivist and Hermeneutic Explanatory Models," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-21, September.
    2. Julia Vansetti Miranda & Akkelies van Nes, 2020. "Sexual Violence in the City: Space, Gender, and the Occurrence of Sexual Violence in Rotterdam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-29, September.
    3. Akkelies van Nes, 2021. "The Impact of the Ring Roads on the Location Pattern of Shops in Town and City Centres. A Space Syntax Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-21, April.
    4. Akkelies van Nes, 2021. "Spatial Configurations and Walkability Potentials. Measuring Urban Compactness with Space Syntax," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-22, May.
    5. Remco de Koning & Wendy Guan Zhen Tan & Akkelies van Nes, 2020. "Assessing Spatial Configurations and Transport Energy Usage for Planning Sustainable Communities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-23, October.
    6. Claudia Yamu & Akkelies van Nes & Chiara Garau, 2021. "Bill Hillier’s Legacy: Space Syntax—A Synopsis of Basic Concepts, Measures, and Empirical Application," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-25, March.
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    Cited by:

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