Morphology (architecture and engineering)
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Morphology in architecture is the study of the evolution of form within the built environment. Often used in reference to a particular vernacular language of building, this concept describes changes in the formal syntax of buildings and cities as their relationship to people evolves and changes. Often morphology describes processes, such as in the evolution of a design concept from first conception to production, but can also be understood as the categorical study in the change of buildings and their use from a historical perspective. Similar to genres of music, morphology concertizes 'movements' and arrives at definitions of architectural 'styles' or typologies. Paradoxically morphology can also be understood to be the qualities of a built space which are style-less or irreducible in quality.
Some ideological influences on morphology which are usually cultural or philosophical in origin include:
Urban morphology provides an understanding of the form, establishment and reshaping processes, spatial structure and character of human settlements through an analysis of historical development processes and the constituent parts that compose settlements. Urban morphology is used as a method of determining transformation processes of urban fabrics by which buildings (both residential and commercial), architects, streets and monuments act as elements of a multidimensional form in a dynamic relationship where built structures shape and are shaped by the open space around them.[3] Urban places act as evolutionary open systems that are continually shaped and transformed by social and political events and by the market forces.[4]
History
Urban morphology as an organised scientific study began formally in the 19th century
Theory
The theory of morphology extends many different disciplines including architectural theory branching from the philosophy of art, engineering, linguistics, culture and sociology.[7]
However, advances in information technology, the development of a globalised 24-hour economy through the three leading world cities
Concentric Zone Model
Although many models have been developed in geography and urban planning fields, encompassing assorted complexities one which holds its widely used and early status is the concentric zone model.
This model led to the acceptance of modern-day terms such as “inner city” and the “suburban ring”. [15]
- The development of Burgess’ theory stemmed from three main assumptions upon the pattern and morphological structure of urban growth: [16]
- The linear progression of society moves from traditional to modern which brings forth the changing construction of social relations
- An individual's agency-based approach to the urban processes without structural constraints which explains the urban condition
- The concept of the city as a unified “whole”[16]
Sectoral model
The Sectoral Model, proposed by economist
Multiple Nuclei Model
This model developed by Harris and Ullman in their 1945 book “The Nature of Cities”[18] further expands on previous morphological theories to provide a model which encompasses the issues that arise over large territorial expanse and growing population. Where previous theories have provided the idea that a city must only have one Central Business District (CBD), the Multiple Nuclei Model has more than one CBD. Rather, this model postulates that there are a number of different growth nuclei, each of which influences the distribution of people, activities and land uses within the area.[19] Each nucleus is a highly specialised subset of the city's urban form and activities as each area is marketed to the demographic within the area from retail, manufacturing, education, health and residential areas.[19] Thus, allows for highly diversified economic functions over an extensive geographical area. This forms a kind of urban mosaic in which the city's spatial geometry is made up of differing nuclei that are no longer organised around a single centre, where the CBD still acts as a functional and important nucleus to the city. One popular weakness to the multiple nuclei model is the premise that distinctions and boundaries between nuclei zones are distinct borders, however this is largely unheard of practically.[20] This model requires the use of four basic principles:[19]
- Certain activities require specialised facilities located in only one or a few sections of the metropolis. For example, manufacturing areas requiring large blocks of undeveloped land located near rail lines.
- Certain like activities profit from adjacent congregation, as seen in the clustering of retail establishments into malls and shopping centres
- Certain unlike activities are antagonistic or detrimental to each other, as seen in the case of manufacturing plants and upper-class residential developments.
- Certain activities are unable to afford the costs of the most desirable locations, as seen in the case of low-income residential areas and high land with a much sought-after view.[19]
One real-world example of this model is the multiple nuclei form of New York City, New York. The cluster of high-end retail institutions within the city deemed the naming of New York's “diamond district” which is one specialised subset of the city's economy and function.[21]
Agents of Morphology
It is argued that urban structure develops irrespective of its objective development by legalisation from government of developers which attempt to control the shape of urban structure.[22] Each agent within the urban landscape – developers, architects, builders, urban planners, and politicians – attempt to pursue their own goals for both the functional and aesthetic qualities of land use. Initially, the occurrence of an action of change is proceeded by a developer.
Advancements
It has been proven that a significant challenge of the twenty first century will be to establish effective links between urban morphologies, efficiency and resilience of urban place in the future. Urban resilience refers to the ability of an urban place to adapt, grow and evolve when it is placed under stress events. Most climate scientists agree that warmer Earth surface temperatures increase the frequency and severity of natural disasters, with these events becoming 5 times as common in recent years.[23] With this, urban microclimates have endured extreme changes, largely due to the combination of global warming and rapid urbanisation.[24] It is known that nearly a quarter of the world's population resides in areas where heat exposure us rising dramatically, in some cases to the point where habitability is questioned.[23] Thus, in order to maintain environmental sustainability into the future adaption to housing and the wider urban fabric is deemed essential. One method for this is the restricting of housing using advancements in engineering to provide innovation and increase the suitability of architecture.
References
- ISBN 9781118292068.
- ^ Oliveira, Vitor. “The Agents and Processes of Urban Transformation.” Urban Morphology An Introduction to the Study of the Physical Form of Cities 31-45 Endnote.com, 2021. https://click.endnote.com/viewer?doi=10.1007%2F978-3-319-320830_3&token=WzM2NDQ5MzcsIjEwLjEwMDcvOTc4LTMtMzE5LTMyMDgzLTBfMyJd.uAdOb7dzuiF470le8NfjqjLZzIw.
- ^ a b Mandal, Koushik; Chatterjee, Soumendu; Das Chatterjee, Nilanjana (2018-05-22). "MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF A HISTORICAL URBAN LANDSCAPE: THE CASE OF CONTAI, AN EARLY URBAN CENTRE OF EASTERN INDIA".
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(help) - ^ Salat, Serge (2014). "BREAKING SYMMETRIES AND EMERGING SCALING URBAN STRUCTURES A Morphological Tale of 3 Cities: Paris, New York and Barcelona" (PDF). International Journal of Architectural Research.
- S2CID 252361510.
- ^ "Marcus Vitruvius Pollio Biography - Infos for Sellers and Buyers". www.vitruvius-pollio.com. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
- ^ Gauthier, Pierre (2006). "Mapping Urban Morphology: A Classification Scheme for Interpreting Contributions to the Study of Urban Form" (PDF). Geography Publications.
- ISSN 0197-3975.
- S2CID 14581050.
- ^ Bodo, Tombari (2019). "Rapid Urbanisation: Theories, Causes, Consequences and Coping Strategies". Annals of Geographical Studies. 2.
- ^ ISSN 0197-3975.
- ISSN 0197-3975.
- ISBN 978-0-19-959986-8, retrieved 2022-05-25
- ^ Ford, Larry (1974). "METROPOLITAN EVOLUTION, URBAN IMAGES, AND THE CONCENTRIC ZONE MODEL" (PDF). Urban Eras and the Cityscape.
- ^ ISSN 0144-3585.
- ^ S2CID 219084012. Retrieved 2022-05-31.
- ^ JSTOR 621541.
- S2CID 145689475.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4051-2433-1, retrieved 2022-05-31
- ^ "What are the criticisms of the multiple nuclei model? – Gzipwtf.com". Retrieved 2022-05-31.
- Wikidata Q61988003.
- ^ Stojanović, Velimir (2015). "CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF THE CYCLE OF CHANGES IN URBAN MORPHOLOGY: URBAN THEORY AND PRACTICE" (PDF). The Creativity Game.
- ^ a b McDaniel, Eric (2021-09-07). "Weather Disasters Have Become 5 Times As Common, Thanks In Part To Climate Change". NPR. Retrieved 2022-05-25.
- S2CID 224951296.