Comments on WALKABLE Dallas-Fort Worth: The Resilience Quotient and Malls in Drag

Glad to hear it. That's precisely what I hope...

2012-01-26T10:35:25.133-06:00

Glad to hear it. That's precisely what I hope to do, raise awareness about what "improved" roads really are.

This stuff really isn't rocket science and whatever seems like it is, I just haven't done a good job translating it from academic jargon into normal english, which is really what Jane Jacobs greatest gift was (as well as her power and penchant for objective observation).

Thanks Patrick. That's very clear. Since I'...

2012-01-26T10:31:58.848-06:00

Thanks Patrick. That's very clear. Since I've started reading your blog and D Mag articles, I've gained a layman's appreciation of connectivity and intersection issues.

Megan - I've been meaning to check it out for ...

2012-01-26T09:09:10.535-06:00

Megan -
I've been meaning to check it out for sometime. Just haven't gotten around to it yet. Still messing around with Space Syntax and DepthMap.

Topham -
The calculation is really simple. The data that matters is: number of intersections, area to be measured, the 225 threshold calculated by UConn studies where alternate modes of transportation as well as safety begin to jump.

So then the equation is:
x = intersections
y = intersections divided by .63

.63 is used to proportion x to a full square mile. It is used because the radius of a typical 10-minute walk (with stops at lights, etc.) is approximately .45 miles. .45 is my radius of the circle centered upon the approximate center of the study area.

Then this is divided by 225 to see how far away it is where it ideally needs to be.

As I said in the post, I want to have a larger contextual measurement as well, which might be like a 3 mile radius. This would filter out some outliers like the California neighborhood set in the middle of nowhere.

Obviously there are limitations to this. All statistics are mere abstractions, but this along with the space syntax and MIT work is about measuring the quality of the network, the foundation for life and economies to emerge, persist.

This doesn't get into spatial arrangement of the land uses within blocks, but over a long enough timeline, those self-organize based on the network. Much like quality architecture vs bad architecture (urbanistically). Eventually we stop tolerating certain buildings and they go away.

I find this study of networks to be the single most important thing missing from all discussions surrounding urban issues, being that it is the foundation from which all else spring. Unfortunately, the planning, funding, and design of this network infrastructure is so badly disconnected, that efforts towards urbanism are entirely superficial. And we end up with malls in drag.

Have you tested the MIT urban network analysis too...

2012-01-26T02:37:29.004-06:00

Have you tested the MIT urban network analysis toolbar? http://cityform.mit.edu/projects/urban-network-analysis.html

It's impressive. I haven't figured out yet how to calibrate local conditions so the results I'm getting assume all streets have the same network value. I'd like to apply various measures of connectivity to make it more relevant at the local level and to test some scenarios as you mention here...

I really am glad to see how some quantifiable meas...

2012-01-25T22:44:58.606-06:00

I really am glad to see how some quantifiable measurements can be used to analyze -- in part -- what seems at first blush to be a "sense" of what makes for a successful neighborhood.

How is the resilience quotient calculated? y=what? and how is the denominator in the ratio determined?