A short, non-technical session on cities & city systems, aimed at senior decision-makers. Can be taken alone, or as an introduction to further Space Syntax/GIS courses. 

The Interconnected places course has been designed to help city leaders, development executives and urban planners understand cities as ‘systems of systems’ and to show how the performance of cities (eg mobility, social vitality, economic productivity and environmental sustainability) can be improved through evidence-based analysis and forecasting. While city leaders may now receive multiple data streams that help explain what is happening in their city and where, the training session introduces sophisticated models that help explain why these phenomena are happening. Interconnected places is therefore a valuable course for leaders who are commissioning and directing ‘Smart Cities’ strategies.

Approach 

The session uses systems theory to explain how street networks shape human movement and interaction and hence whether cities are thriving, healthy and green places to live & work. The training session is aimed at people who are required to take a holistic & strategic overview of urban processes in their work. The course explores the relationship between the built environment, services, perceptions, and behaviours as well as individual and societal outcomes. The training session highlights how executives and leaders can harness the latent potentials present in urban infrastructure to achieve their strategic aims and objectives – distinguishing between short, medium, and longer-term targets and interventions.

Who? The training session is aimed at people who are required to take a holistic and strategic overview of urban processes in their work. This could include urban planners, civil servants and city leaders, public and private sector chief executives, directors of strategy, coordinators and facilitators of urban networks, senior architects, and politicians.

How? The training is adapted to those with busy schedules, taking 1-2 hours to deliver. It is also interactive, offering the possibility for continuing dialogue. The 2-hour version of the training session incorporates working through case studies and applied group exercises.

What? The training is organised in three sections:

1. Interconnected places
Understanding places as interconnected systems and exploring the networked properties of streets.

2. Understanding urban systems through data
Analysing impact pathways from the built environment to economic, social, and environmental outcomes, and using mapping as a tool for joined-up thinking.

3. Applying the Space Syntax approach in practice
Diving into case studies and applying new principles through group exercises.

Duration 
1-2 hours.

Level 
Non-technical overview.