Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 2
From Fractal Urban Pattern Analysis to Fractal
Urban Planning Concepts
Pierre Frankhauser
Abstract
Fractal geometry can be used to develop a multiscale approach to
investigate the spatial organization of urban fabrics. First, the concepts behind
fractal reference models are introduced so as to provide a better understanding
of the results obtained from empirical analyses of urban patterns. Then, different
methods for conducting fractal analyses are presented and the results obtained for
urban patterns are discussed. It turns out that, despite their irregular appearance,
urban patterns are often organized by an inherent fractal order principle, at least
across a certain range of scales. More detailed analysis of the findings reveals links
between these fractal properties and the historical contexts in which cities or urban
districts developed. The influence of specific urban planning concepts on fractal
behavior may also be identified, whereas the national context has less of a hold.
Urban fabrics emerge from complex interactions among various types of decision
makers and are, in most cases, the outcome of a self-organizing process. However,
by considering particular features of such urban fabrics and by comparing them with
social demand and against certain planning concepts, a new planning concept can
be proposed based on fractal logic, but intended for the sustainable development of
metropolitan areas without excluding periurbanization. Software tools are presented
for developing and evaluating scenarios for further urbanization of metropolitan
areas.
Keywords
Fractal analysis of urban patterns Fractal planning Sustainable
development Urban modeling
2.1
Introduction
Since the industrial revolution in the nineteenth century, urban growth has never
slowed what was made possible by improvements in transportation technologies.
Indeed, before efficient transport systems were developed, the size of towns
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