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Bridging Subjective and Objective Dimensions of Resilience: A Space Syntax Approach to Analyzing Urban Public Spaces

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  • Yunyan Li

    (School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
    Key Laboratory of New Technique for Construction of Cities in Mountain Area of the Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
    Key Laboratory of Monitoring, Evaluation and Early Warning of Territorial Spatial Planning Implementation, Ministry of Natural Resources, Chongqing 401147, China)

  • Miao Wang

    (School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China)

  • Binyan Wang

    (School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
    Key Laboratory of New Technique for Construction of Cities in Mountain Area of the Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
    Key Laboratory of Monitoring, Evaluation and Early Warning of Territorial Spatial Planning Implementation, Ministry of Natural Resources, Chongqing 401147, China)

  • Yuchen Liang

    (School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China)

Abstract

Public spaces are fundamental spatial units within cities, serving as essential venues for residents’ daily activities and as resilient environments for responding to emergencies. They play a crucial role in enhancing urban resilience and promoting sustainable urban development. However, existing research predominantly focuses on objective spatial entities, often neglecting users’ behavioral and psychological perceptions. Studies that incorporate perceived resilience typically necessitate extensive, time-consuming, and costly fieldwork. To address these gaps, this study innovatively integrates space syntax into the Public Space Resilience (PSR) analytical framework, thereby bridging the subjective and objective dimensions of resilience in the evaluation process. A comprehensive resilience measurement framework is developed, linking ‘material entities’, ‘spatial perception (via space syntax)’, and ‘spatial resilience’. Using the Yuzhong Peninsula in Chongqing, China, as a case study, this research employs indicators such as integration, connectivity, and comprehensibility to quantitatively evaluate PSR. Based on the findings, this study also proposes strategies and recommendations to enhance PSR. The results contribute to both a practical measurement method and a theoretical framework for advancing PSR in urban planning and design.

Suggested Citation

  • Yunyan Li & Miao Wang & Binyan Wang & Yuchen Liang, 2025. "Bridging Subjective and Objective Dimensions of Resilience: A Space Syntax Approach to Analyzing Urban Public Spaces," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-20, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:13:p:5937-:d:1689278
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Saleh Qanazi & Ihab H. Hijazi & Isam Shahrour & Rani El Meouche, 2024. "Exploring Urban Service Location Suitability: Mapping Social Behavior Dynamics with Space Syntax Theory," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-16, April.
    2. Xiaojuan Li & Lulu Li & Mingchao Lin & Chi Yung Jim, 2022. "Research on Risk and Resilience Evaluation of Urban Underground Public Space," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-21, November.
    3. Penny Allan & Martin Bryant & Camila Wirsching & Daniela Garcia & Maria Teresa Rodriguez, 2013. "The Influence of Urban Morphology on the Resilience of Cities Following an Earthquake," Journal of Urban Design, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(2), pages 242-262, May.
    4. Jones, Lindsey & d'Errico, Marco, 2019. "Whose resilience matters? Like-for-like comparison of objective and subjective evaluations of resilience," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 1-1.
    5. Darren Nel & Chrisna du Plessis & Karina Landman, 2018. "Planning for dynamic cities: introducing a framework to understand urban change from a complex adaptive systems approach," International Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(3), pages 250-263, July.
    6. Rui Han & Daping Liu & Guangjie Zhu & Linjie Li, 2022. "A Comparative Study on Planning Patterns of Industrial Bases in Northeast China Based on Spatial Syntax," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-17, January.
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    8. Dario Esposito & Stefania Santoro & Domenico Camarda, 2020. "Agent-Based Analysis of Urban Spaces Using Space Syntax and Spatial Cognition Approaches: A Case Study in Bari, Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-17, June.
    9. Jones, Lindsey & D'Errico, Marco, 2019. "Whose resilience matters?: like-for-like comparisons of objective and subjective measures of resilience," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 101529, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
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