VILNIUS GEDIMINAS TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE
ARCHITECTURE DEPARTMENT

Architecture Research Methodology

RESEARCH ON SPATIAL STRUCTURE OF SETTLEMENTS
Practise 3
Spatial structure analysis using M. Purvinas method of existing urban situation in Biržai town
central part

Stud: Zhou Zhang

Lect: doc.dr. Vytautas Petrušonis

2021
CONTENT
1.Definition of spatial structure research using M. Purvinas method.
2.Spatial structure analysis of chosen urban area
2.1. Information of the site
2.2. Visual spaces
2.3. Visual links
2.4. Dominants and accent
3.Conslusion
1.Definition of spatial structure research using M. Purvinas method.
M. Purvinas developed his methodology based on the concept of “primary spaces”.
Proponents of this direction divide urban space into primary spaces and examine them as a
structure made up of elements. Complex configuration of spaces is split into primary
(compact or extended) spaces. In this way, the perceived spatial structure is represented
as a combination of units of various sizes but similar shapes.
It should be emphasized that this method is particularly useful for the detailed analysis
of complex spatial structures. It can be used in designing when there is need to predict
the properties of the future urban complex.

This method, which provides an opportunity to "feel" clearly, to understand the

peculiarities of space, to develop "spatial" thinking, can be used in the preparation of
future architects.

2.Spatial syntax analysis of chosen urban area

2.1 Information of the site

The site is located in Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China, which is a developed
city. This is a community with perfect living facilities.There is good greening along the
surrounding streets. There are service centers and parks in the community.
Spatial syntax analysis of chosen urban area
2.1 Visual spaces
An industrial part of the block in central area of Biržai town was analysed using M. Purvinas
spatial structure method. In the following graphs were defined Visual Spaces and their
boundaries:
1. Complete
2. Partial
3. Conditional
 Following graph shows the relation of visual spaces with each other and surroundings through
analysis of primary and secondary visual links.
 Next graph marks existing dominants (high buildings and their elements) and accents
(environmental objects and eye-catching buildings).
 2.2 Properties of visual spaces

Properties of VS
No. Size Configuration Horizontal Visual links Accents Dominant
type closure
1 Small Compact Partial Primary – 2 __
Visible from VS
Secondary –2
2 Small Extended Partial Primary – 2 Visible from VS Visible from VS
Secondary – 3
3 Small Extended Partial Primary – 2 Visible from VS Existing in VS
Secondary – 1
4 Medium Extended Complete Primary – 1 Existing in VS Existing in VS
Secondary – 4
5 Small Compact Complete Primary – 2 __ Existing in VS
6 Medium Compact Complete Primary – 3 __ Visible from VS
Secondary – 2
7 Large Compact Conditional Primary – 4 __ Visible from VS
Secondary – 1
8 Large Compact Conditional Primary – 3 Visible from VS Existing in VS
Secondary – 1
9 Small Compact Complete Primary – 2 __ Existing in VS
10 Medium Extended Complete Primary – 2 Visible from VS Existing in VS
Secondary – 1
11 Large Extended Conditional Primary – 4 Existing in VS Existing in VS
Secondary – 3
12 Medium Extended Conditional Primary – 4 Visible from VS Visible from VS
Secondary – 2
13 Medium Extended Conditional Primary – 3 Visible from VS Visible from VS
Secondary – 1
14 Medium Extended Conditional Primary – 3 Visible from VS Visible from VS
Secondary – 1
15 Small Compact Conditional Primary – 2 __
Visible from VS
Secondary – 2
16 Medium Compact Complete Primary – 3 Visible from VS Visible from VS
Secondary – 1
17 Medium Extended Complete Primary – 3 Visible from VS Visible from VS
Secondary – 2
18 Medium Extended Complete Primary – 3 Visible from VS Visible from VS
Secondary – 1
19 Medium Extended Complete Primary – 3 Visible from VS
Secondary – 2 Visible from VS
20 Large Extended Complete Primary – 4 Visible from VS __
Secondary – 3
21 Small Compact Complete Primary – 2 __ Visible from VS
22 Small Compact Partial Primary – 1 Visible from VS Visible from VS
23 Medium Extended Partial Primary – 3 Existing in VS Visible from VS
Secondary – 1
24 Large Extended Complete Primary – 3 Existing in VS Visible from VS
Secondary – 3
25 Small Compact Partial Primary – 1 __ __
Secondary – 1
26 Medium Extended Partial Secondary – 2 __ __
27 Medium Extended Partial Primary – 2 Visible from VS Visible from VS
Secondary – 1
28 Small Extended Complete Primary – 1 Existing in VS __
Secondary – 1
29 Small Extended Complete Primary – 1 Existing in VS Visible from VS
Secondary – 2
Conclusion
Analysis of properties and characteristics of visual spaces in existing urban complex shows the
diversity of existing VS in the area. The variety of visual spaces is noticeable in different types
of characteristics (sizes, closures, visual links and visual accents). To sum up the aspects of VS:

• variety of sizes of VS (mostly appears small and medium size VS transition)

• variety of irregular shapes (mostly extended)
• many complete boundaries in small and medium spaces
• the closure of large spaces closure is conditional
• following by amount of primary visual links
• secondary links appear mostly alongside the environmental object as a boundary
• existing high-rise object as a visual dominant is visible in almost all VS
• accents are abundant in medium and large and small spaces(VS NO.11 NO.28
NO.29).
• compact spaces are primarily medium and small

Thus, diversity of sizes is important for assessing the quality of an urban structure.
Diversity is also important in other respects: configuration, horizontal closure,
primary and other visual relationships. The variety of this properties and the presence
of dominants visible from different spaces is not in itself a guarantee of quality, but it
is a set of assumptions for the quality of the urban structure.

Following the conclusion on characteristics of visual spaces:

Too many small-sized VS, while most of all VS are dominating in extended
configuration type it creates not so favoured area for residents. On the other hand, the
medium-sized spaces dominate in visual spaces with its compact configuration type ,
other spaces are small but there are several large spaces , which made residents
generally feel better.
The large number of enclosed spaces , which is the advantage in this urban area.,that
have visual relationships with others have a great emotional impact, not only giving them
the feeling of being cozy (due to their closed and small size) but also the great variety
and content richness.
Small and large spaces have accents (public buildings),when residents consider such
VS more favourable. But there is clear lack of accents in the west VS of the site. The
accent and dominants of the site are unevenly distributed.
The overall evaluation of existing urban complex using M. Purvinas method
shows that this area already is in a high spatial quality considering its design, although it
lack some of the aspects, which would make it more favourable, convenient and overall
better quality urban spatial complex.