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Implementing Gehl’s Theory to Study Urban Space. The Case of Monotowns

Author

Listed:
  • Damiano Cerrone

    (Faculty of Built Environment, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland)

  • Jesús López Baeza

    (Digital City Science, Hafen City Universität Hamburg, 20535 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Panu Lehtovuori

    (Faculty of Built Environment, Tampere University, 33720 Tampere, Finland)

  • Daniele Quercia

    (Social Dynamics, Nokia Bell Labs, Cambridge CB21TN, UK
    3 CUSP, King’s College London, London WC2R2LS, UK)

  • Rossano Schifanella

    (Computer Science Department, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy)

  • Luca Aiello

    (Computational Social Science, IT University of Copenhagen, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark)

Abstract

The paper presents a method to operationalize Jan Gehl’s questions for public space into metrics to map Russian monotowns’ urban life in 2017. With the use of social media data, it becomes possible to scale Gehl’s approach from the survey of small urban areas to the analysis of entire cities while maintaining the human scale’s resolution. When underperforming public spaces are detected, we propose a matrix for urban design interventions using Jane Jacobs’ typologies for good city life. Furthermore, this method could be deployed to improve the conditions of public spaces in Russian monotowns through a series of architectural briefs for design competitions and urban design guidelines for local administrations.

Suggested Citation

  • Damiano Cerrone & Jesús López Baeza & Panu Lehtovuori & Daniele Quercia & Rossano Schifanella & Luca Aiello, 2021. "Implementing Gehl’s Theory to Study Urban Space. The Case of Monotowns," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:9:p:5105-:d:547973
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Damiano Cerrone & Jesús López Baeza & Panu Lehtovuori, 2020. "Optional and necessary activities: operationalising Jan Gehl's analysis of urban space with Foursquare data," International Journal of Knowledge-Based Development, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 11(1), pages 68-79.
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