At Space Syntax we know that the success of places depends not only on their detailed design but also on the strength of their connections to the wider city. Get these global links wrong and, no matter how good the local design, a development is doomed. But make the links too strong and you lose local identity, ending up with nothing more than more of the same.
Urban planning is a balancing act and, if you want to know whether or not a new scheme is going to work, it helps to have a measure. Our unique methodology provides such an approach: analysing the balance between local distinctiveness and global connectedness.
In this month’s Newsletter, we look at Space Syntax’s current plans for sustainable urban growth in Darwin, Australia. A major masterplan proposal has been created through careful design of the spatial layout – producing striking, new development that complements, rather than competes with, the existing urban fabric.
Tim Stonor
Managing Director
Project Darwin City Centre
Project Director Tim Stonor
Client City of Darwin, Northern Territory Government and Australian Government
Date 2014
On 20th February, Lord Mayor Katrina Fong Lim launched the Darwin CBD Masterplan, which sets out a 20-year vision for the future of the city centre. Space Syntax’s team, led by Tim Stonor and Eime Tobariwere instrumental in the design of the masterplan through close, workshop engagement in Darwin.
In celebration of Space Syntax’s sponsorship of The Academy of Urbanism’s Young Urbanists, we were delighted to host an evening of drinks, nibbles and networking for the growing group at our London studio on Thursday 27th February.
On Tuesday, 4th March, Space Syntax hosted an evening reception for those involved with the government’s Future of Cities programme. Space Syntax’s Managing Director, Tim Stonor is a member of the 8-person Lead Expert Group that is advising the project, which is taking a long-term look at the challenges and opportunities faced by UK cities.
Tim Stonor travelled to the Google headquarters in Mountain View, California to present at the Cities on the Move conference. Organised by the New Cities Foundation, the day of talks and presentations brought together some of the world’s most forward thinking researchers and practitioners from economics, sociology, architecture and design, policy, finance and technology.
As part of Space Syntax’s monthly BrainBank programme of in-house talks and seminars, we welcomed Jens Kandt, Researcher at LSE Cities, to the studio on Thursday, 13th March to present his research.
Space Syntax is delighted to have sponsored Jonathan Turk, director of London Development Consultancy Ltd on his cycle to MIPIM. Jonathan joined almost 100 other riders, all working in the UK property sector, on the charity challenge – a 1,452km cycling endurance event from London to Cannes. All funds raised will go towards Coram, Article 25, Emthonjeni Trust, Multiple System Atrophy Trust and Tom’s Trust.
Space Syntax consultant Abhimanyu Acharya is bidding to run a workshop at SmartGeometry 2014 in Hong Kong. If successful, Abhi’s workshop will explore the formation of dense urban settlements in mountainous terrains.
Tim Stonor travelled to Istanbul with the Lord Mayor of the City of London to speak at Technology is GREAT. Jointly organised by the UK Trade and Investment Network and the UK Science and Innovation Network the event was a platform to build links between UK and Turkish businesses and research organisations.
