MIT researchers have created a new Urban Network Analysis (UNA) toolbox that enables urban designers and planners to describe the spatial patterns of cities using mathematical network analysis methods. Such tools can support better informed and more resilient urban design and planning in a context of rapid urbanization.
“Network centrality measures are useful predictors for a number of interesting urban phenomeona”, explains Andres Sevtsuk, the principal investigator of the City Form Research Group at MIT that produced the toolbox. “They help explain, for instance, on which sreets or buildings one is most likely to find local commerce, where foot or vehicular traffic is expected to be highest, and why city land values vary from one location to another.”