Papers by Joao Pinelo Silva
Journal of Urbanism, 2020
Some parks suffer from overuse, which raises safety issues. Municipalities introduced access-cont... more Some parks suffer from overuse, which raises safety issues. Municipalities introduced access-control policies such as entrance fees and women-only days. We studied the impact of these policies on the volume of visitors in one park and the consequent reduction of physical activity. A year-long timestamped categorized visitor log allowed for before/after comparisons tested for statistical signifi- cance at a 99% confidence level. We used the International Physical Activity Questionnaire to quantify physical activity at the park and estimated the amount lost due to the new admittance policies. The number of park visitors declined 86% after the introduction of entrance fees, with a consequent loss of 24% of an individual’s weekly physical activity, reducing the efficiency of the park. Unexpectedly, women-only days are associated with an increase in the ratio of children per woman from 1.4 to 2.33, reflecting a change in parental behavior, which suggests an increased sense of security.
Architectural Science Review, 2019
Maximizing the annual season of street comfort in hot climates requires synergies between all pla... more Maximizing the annual season of street comfort in hot climates requires synergies between all planning and design features. The absence of such combination compromises comfort and planning goals, like increasing walkability. Street orientation is both a determinant of its solar intake and a design feature that outlasts all others. In the hot planes of the Arabian Gulf, planners can typically choose the directions to expand a street network. However, regional designers do not seem to consider solar intake. In the case study of Bahrain, 38% of the street network has an orientation that generates the highest heat gain. We propose that utilizing a new measure - the Thermal Coefficient of Street Orientation - to quantify the excessive heat gain of masterplans could invert this trend. We simulated that the controlled expansion of the street network in Bahrain could result in a reduction of 40% of its solar intake.
Built environments have a profound effect on public health as they provide the background on whic... more Built environments have a profound effect on public health as they provide the background on which individuals make decisions to address their mobility, resulting in the adoption of varying degrees of physical activity. This is a logical adjunct to the natural environment which may or may not be conducive to physical activity (PA). Because microclimates influence the use of outdoor space, the built environment is crucial in creating conditions that are amenable for PA. A sample of 1359 participants declared activity levels during summer and winter over two years, via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The results, presented in this paper: a) estimate that 39% of all physical activity takes place outdoors, denoting dependence on indoor environments; b) tests the measurement of PA in a standard, expedited way, allowing for seasonal monitoring; c) measures the seasonal difference between outdoor walking, thus quantifying the role of the weather. The study is the first on the topic in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It creates awareness for the relationship between built environment and public health, establishes directions and a foundation for future research, and baselines that may influence policymaking.
The purpose of this research was to propose and build a sustainable, low-impact, optimized, modul... more The purpose of this research was to propose and build a sustainable, low-impact, optimized, modular lodge, to facilitate scientific studies in the Antarctic. Within this unique climate, this paper presents new environmental and sustainable approach for the extreme cold. The Polar Lodge was designed and built with a primary concern of proposing a zero carbon emission module. Other major concerns included that the proposal should be: modular; easy to transport and fast to assemble by a small team of non-experts (size and weight of parts was critical); resistant to wind; have minimum impact on the ecosystem; dry; warm; safe; physically and psychologically comfortable. The solution presented was inspired and adapted by the traditional Yurt. Scientific data was collected and analysed regarding the lodgé s performance in the extreme environmental conditions with the use of data loggers. The environmental comfort and thermal performance of the Antarctic yurt was tested for two consecutive days by the team of researchers in an isolated area on Collins Bay. Data was collected and the experience registered, substantiating environmental comfort on physiological, psychological grounds. Finally, this paper also intends to contribute to the scientific efforts of low energy building, within the concerns of climate change and sustainability.
Proceedings of the 11th International Space Syntax Symposium, 2017
Configurational modelling involves simple but powerful methodologies that seamlessly integrate th... more Configurational modelling involves simple but powerful methodologies that seamlessly integrate the design process and has high adherence by professionals. However, a traditionally intuitive approach, rather than a statistically informed one, occasionally compromises such models. As a consequence, the models often do not reach statistical significance and therefore are of limited efficacy. Were they to reach statistical significance, configurational models would increase their validity but also the potential for data sharing and therefore their economic feasibility. In this paper, I discuss the aspects of the process of creating configurational models that are crucial towards statistical validity. After introducing the methodological framework, I focus on the two stages for measuring traffic: finding a representative sample for each spatial unit and measuring sufficient units to form the model. I present new evidence of the expected variability of data that dismisses common but false assumptions that often lead to statistical insignificance. I demonstrate how the introduction of variance breaks down a model. I argue that reaching statistical significance can be achieved with the use of basic statistics, which are within reach of designers. Finally, I introduce Bootstrapping, an advanced but straightforward method to provide statistical significance in cases of a small sampling.
Proceedings of the 11th International Space Syntax Symposium, 2017
The space syntax Theory of Natural Movement postulates that everything else being equal, land use... more The space syntax Theory of Natural Movement postulates that everything else being equal, land use selects their location based on the asymmetry of accessibility created by the configuration of the street network. In this article, I test the hypothesis whether configurational (syntactic) properties of an urban street network are relevant for the location of land use. If syntactic features are relevant, then land use types may have a 'syntactic signature'. To identify this blueprint, I apply machine-learning techniques to datasets of syntactic measures, for ten business types. The results are ten models, each with the syntactic blueprint of a type of business. The models are used to predict the existence, or not, of such businesses in segments of the map of London. The performance of the models varies, with fifty per cent reaching statistical significance, including one with 'good' prediction ability. The models for Starbucks coffee shops and solicitor's offices have the strongest prediction ability. The exploratory exercise demonstrates the potential of the machine-learning method Random Forests, when supervised and individually applied to a business activity, to identify the syntactic signature of business types. Such models can be used during planning and design and on location studies. The results strengthen the candidacy of syntactic measurements to location-decision-making. Moreover, they reinforce the theory of Natural Movement.
Books by Joao Pinelo Silva
Conference Presentations by Joao Pinelo Silva
This paper summarizes the results of a pilot study on the performance of a movable modular shelte... more This paper summarizes the results of a pilot study on the performance of a movable modular shelter in extreme cold conditions. The shelter was designed by a mixed team of Architects and Engineers and will be used by researchers carrying out field work in the Antarctic Peninsula. Preliminary results confirm its viability, ease of use, and satisfactory thermal comfort performance. Considerations are made on contextual factors, such as comfort expectations, local climate characteristics, and design construction issues.
This paper describes structural aspects of a movable modular shelter, designed to withstand wind ... more This paper describes structural aspects of a movable modular shelter, designed to withstand wind gusts of 200km/h in extreme cold conditions. The shelter was conceived by a mixed team of Architects and Engineers and will be used as accommodation by researchers carrying out field work in the Antarctic Peninsula. Preliminary results confirm its viability and ease of use. Considerations are made on contextual factors, such as local wind characteristics, ease of use, and structural design issues.
Shelters in extremely cold regions are highly influenced by their site locations and significant ... more Shelters in extremely cold regions are highly influenced by their site locations and significant improvements in their thermal performance can be achieved by simply orienting them to optimise the potential solar heat gains available and minimising the impacts of cold, strong winds around the structure. This paper presents of numerical simulations of insolation and wind exposure on a remote site in Collis Bay, King George Island in Antarctica where a 'polar Lodge' was erected and tested in February 2019. The results of the study clearly demonstrated the complexity of issues involved in optimally positioning a structure in extreme conditions and its entrance to take maximum advantage of the energetic landscapes and minimising its potential to fail for a range of weather related reasons. The paper shows that in this particular location, with predominant winds from the south east and high latitude, a windbreak could double as heat storage during the summer.
The warming global climate is triggering ever more extreme weather events with records being brok... more The warming global climate is triggering ever more extreme weather events with records being broken year on year for flooding, heat and cold waves and wind strengths. Consequently, more buildings are failing in the face of such weather events. In order to build structures that can withstand ever greater climate challenges in which people and populations can 'bounce forwards' to remain safe in them, even in worse weather conditions, we need to upgrade our approach to the climatic design of buildings around the world. A recent project to design a tent to stand for twelve months at Collins Bay, Antarctica, emphasised that it is difficult to approach more 'extreme design' without actually experiencing the extreme conditions they may be required to operate in. This paper outlines what was learnt in that project about designing for extremely cold and windy environments. Lessons learnt were often unanticipated and included new insights into the form, materials, design, construction and siting of the tent at both its design, its fabrication and its building stages. This paper outlines the main steps in that design learning. The project clearly demonstrated the complexity of the issues involved in making sure the tent was optimally designed and built for and in its location, with a view to ensuring it would not fail in local conditions which include minus 30 0 C during winter and locally recorded winds of up to 200pmh. It provides valuable lessons on the underlying process of how to design more generally for more extreme weather futures.
This paper discusses the contribution of street orientation towards the development of a comforta... more This paper discusses the contribution of street orientation towards the development of a comfortable microclimate for pedestrians in Bahrain. Increasing walkability is a global agenda to address issues such as a) transportation, b) energy consumption, c) health, and d) air pollution, all of which are topics of the sustainability agenda. Thermal comfort is one of the pre-requisites for walkability. In warm climates, this is a challenging goal.
Street design is paramount for pedestrian comfort in warm climates. The roles of street orientation and aspect ratio are of particular importance as they determine the intake of solar radiation into the urban canyon. We investigate the state of affairs in Bahrain, by measuring the frequency with which the street orientations E-W, N-S, NE-SW, and NW-SE, currently occur. Research suggests that the street orientation E-W presents the lesser performance for mitigating the effects of heat gain. The ideal grid orientation would, therefore, be N-S, and NE-SW - NW-SE, avoiding street segments with E-W orientation.
A countrywide analysis shows that E-W orientation accounts for the highest overall street length with 37%. The second most frequent orientation is N-S (29%), the best performer. NW-SE and NE-SW both have frequencies of only 17%. Preference for a street grid with N-S, NW-SE, and NE-SW orientation would improve the thermal performance of streets and provide a continuous network of a comfortable pedestrian environment. We simulate two future scenarios based on avoiding new E-W streets, or not. We measure their potential reduction in thermal gain and conclude that a simple policy could reduce solar exposition in 40%.
Most research exploring the neural basis of spatial naviga- tion has focused on task demands (e.g... more Most research exploring the neural basis of spatial naviga- tion has focused on task demands (e.g. wayfinding versus route follow- ing) or strategies (response versus place learning). By contrast little is known about how the structure of the environment influences such neu- ral systems in humans. To address this we combined functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data collected from subjects navigating a city street network (Soho, London, UK [1]) with an analysis of the spatial properties of the street network. During scanning subjects navigated re- cently learned streets in a simulation of the Soho region, created using first-person-view film footage of pedestrian travel. Several spatial mea- sures were calculated from examining the environment. These included: (i) space syntax measures based on street connectivity, including axial integration, path connectivity and topological depth [2]; (ii) visibility threshold measures based on s-partitions [3]; (iii) street width; (iv) met- ric distance; and (v) depth of view. A number of non-spatial measures are accounted for, such as the presence of visual attractors (eg. people, vehicles, shops). We identify which regions of the brain are activated when these spatial parameters change and whether these responses are specific to periods when subjects are navigating. Preliminary results indi- cate that brain regions in the spatial navigation network are more active when entering streets that are more integrated in the street network, and only so when actively navigating the space.
Uploads
Papers by Joao Pinelo Silva
Books by Joao Pinelo Silva
Conference Presentations by Joao Pinelo Silva
Street design is paramount for pedestrian comfort in warm climates. The roles of street orientation and aspect ratio are of particular importance as they determine the intake of solar radiation into the urban canyon. We investigate the state of affairs in Bahrain, by measuring the frequency with which the street orientations E-W, N-S, NE-SW, and NW-SE, currently occur. Research suggests that the street orientation E-W presents the lesser performance for mitigating the effects of heat gain. The ideal grid orientation would, therefore, be N-S, and NE-SW - NW-SE, avoiding street segments with E-W orientation.
A countrywide analysis shows that E-W orientation accounts for the highest overall street length with 37%. The second most frequent orientation is N-S (29%), the best performer. NW-SE and NE-SW both have frequencies of only 17%. Preference for a street grid with N-S, NW-SE, and NE-SW orientation would improve the thermal performance of streets and provide a continuous network of a comfortable pedestrian environment. We simulate two future scenarios based on avoiding new E-W streets, or not. We measure their potential reduction in thermal gain and conclude that a simple policy could reduce solar exposition in 40%.
Street design is paramount for pedestrian comfort in warm climates. The roles of street orientation and aspect ratio are of particular importance as they determine the intake of solar radiation into the urban canyon. We investigate the state of affairs in Bahrain, by measuring the frequency with which the street orientations E-W, N-S, NE-SW, and NW-SE, currently occur. Research suggests that the street orientation E-W presents the lesser performance for mitigating the effects of heat gain. The ideal grid orientation would, therefore, be N-S, and NE-SW - NW-SE, avoiding street segments with E-W orientation.
A countrywide analysis shows that E-W orientation accounts for the highest overall street length with 37%. The second most frequent orientation is N-S (29%), the best performer. NW-SE and NE-SW both have frequencies of only 17%. Preference for a street grid with N-S, NW-SE, and NE-SW orientation would improve the thermal performance of streets and provide a continuous network of a comfortable pedestrian environment. We simulate two future scenarios based on avoiding new E-W streets, or not. We measure their potential reduction in thermal gain and conclude that a simple policy could reduce solar exposition in 40%.
The contemporary researcher must therefore master several different software packages that are essential to work with data. In the world of spatial or geographical research, data is often referenced to its location. While this extends the potential for analysis, it adds a level of complexity to working with this data.
This handbook aims at supporting the researcher of spatial and social phenomena with the inter-software knowledge that allows the creation of the spatial representations that are necessary to perform Space Syntax analysis, integrate its results with its specific methodologies and with other sources of data.
The main research tool to carry out syntactic analysis is the software Depthmap. For this reason, this handbook is organised around it. It is not a Depthmap manual, but a guide for the options available on the way to use this central tool of space syntax analysis and how to use it for applied Space Syntax research.
By its nature, this document is a working draft meant to be regularly updated to keep up with the development of software, methodologies and techniques involved.
In this study, a detailed analysis of the visual experience of users while wayfinding in real environments through eye-tracking, is used to identify objects of attention and visual search behaviours, such as hesitation points, gazing direction and fixated elements, thus revealing which design features are more relevant to navigation. Evidence that the ‘signified’, rather than the ‘signifier’, is relevant to cognition, is studied through an analysis of declared preferences which explores the role of the presence of other pedestrians in wayfinding decision making.
The results show high levels of attention to building edges and to pedestrians which reflects the importance of both configuration and meaning in wayfinding. The significance of the presence of people seems to partially explain the role that configurational intelligibility has on the level of navigability of a setting, by acting as a local cue for global configurational properties. These results suggest that features that presuppose usability may be the most relevant non-configurational features for wayfinding. This insight on the nature of spatial cognition in real large environments creates the potential to the development of an approach to design that is more centred on the user, and thus may inform the creation of user-oriented environments. Furthermore, exposing the rational behind one link between local information and global cognition emphasises the relevance and potential of a theory of spatial congruence.