We investigated the cognitive mechanisms underlying the exploration and decision-making in realistic and novel environments. Twelve human subjects were shown small circular U.S. city maps with two locations highlighted on the circumference, as possible choices for a post office (“targets”). At the beginning of a trial, subjects fixated a spot at the center of the map and ultimately chose one of the two locations. A space syntax analysis of the map paths (from the center to each target) revealed that the chosen location was associated with the less convoluted path, as if subjects navigated mentally the paths in an “ant's way,” i.e., by staying within street boundaries, and ultimately choosing the target that could be reached from the center in the shortest way, and the fewest turns and intersections. The subjects' strategy for map exploration and decision making was investigated by monitoring eye position during the task. This revealed a restricted exploration of the map delimited by the location of the two alternative options and the center of the map. Specifically, subjects explored the areas around the two target options by repeatedly looking at them before deciding which one to choose, presumably implementing an evaluation and decision-making process. The ultimate selection of a specific target was significantly associated with the time spent exploring the area around that target. Finally, an analysis of the sequence of eye fixations revealed that subjects tended to look systematically toward the target ultimately chosen even from the beginning of the trial. This finding indicates an early cognitive selection bias for the ensuing decision process.

Previously, we presented Viz-A-Vis, a VIsualiZation of Activity through computer VISion [17]. Viz-A-Vis visualizes behavior as aggregate motion over observation space. In this paper, we present two complementary user studies of Viz-A-Vis measuring its performance and discovery affordances. First, we present a controlled user study aimed at comparatively measuring behavioral analysis preference and performance for observation and search tasks. Second, we describe a study with architects measuring discovery affordances and potential impacts on their work practices. We conclude: 1) Viz-A-Vis significantly reduced search time; and 2) it increased the number and quality of insightful discoveries.

This study analyses informal settlements and the regional highway network in the Greater Cairo Region of Egypt to propose alternatives to reduce regional spatial fragmentation that may lead to spatial segregation. Findings indicate that the street structure of informal settlements provides a configuration that supports social interaction for their residents. While the regional highway network can act to physically disconnect the wider region by isolating or splitting neighbourhoods, some highways can act as an integrator. Analysis at the urban scale can identify points in the settlements' street networks where they can be connected to the regional transport network, which could have an impact on regional consolidation.

In the aftermath of the WWII, many French cities faced a great need for reconstruction in response to the heavy destruction caused by the bombardments. Reconstruction plans were developed and implemented at relatively short notice in response to a critical and urgent situation. However, not all cities adopted the same approach: (a) some proposed and implemented a new layout; (b) others tried to recreate the old street layout but with some updates such as widening and alignment; and finally, (c) some have preferred to resort to more targeted interventions. The choice of approach was motivated by various factors associated with the level of destruction, the futuristic vision of the architect or urbanist in charge, or the historic value of the place destroyed. This article assesses the impact of these approaches on the urban tissue by measuring changes in the overall morphology and intelligibility of multiple city centres before and after the reconstruction based on their cadastral maps. Intelligibility is first measured as a configurational property of the street layout and then as a result of public participation in a navigation task using these maps and digital technology that records the speed of movement and trajectories. This allows a comparison between the original street layout and the new one, as well as across the different cities. Drawing on indicators of spatial cognition, this interdisciplinary research approach provides a means to measure and better understand the impact of the reconstruction on the intelligibility of urban environments.

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