Space Syntax Modelling of Commercial Streets: Case Study of Pondicherry

Abstract

Since the diversity of activities contributes in making the place and improving the environment's quality, this study seeks to evaluate the diversity of commercial uses of commercial streets that attract street users, which in turn participates in constructing the sense of place. More concentrated into the physical aspects of the street and its influence over the group of street users with the help of space syntax–based methodology. The case study was conducted in Boulevard town of Pondicherry which is identified as the main commercial area acting as CBD for the town. Main commercial streets of boulevard town are identified and they are J.N. Street, M.G. Road, Mission street and bussy street. After the survey, each street issues have been identified with respect to the character of each street. And also, the various suggestions and the demand of street users’ group with respect to each street has been identified. With the space syntax analysis, major influencing streets on the town are identified, suggested with various recommendations and guidelines. The result shows that MG. Road and J.N. Street are more pedestrianized especially during Sunday where complete pedestrianization is not accepted by shopkeepers of these streets. And also, the separate allocation of vendors in these streets will also not work, as vendors are the main element in the street to make it liveable. So these has been considered with visibility graph analysis of SSA where it also reveals that M.G. Road and mission street are the most liked spaces. On considering these together it is recommended to involve model roads with vendors located at the center provided with parking facilities as per the demand. Mission street is active only during evening time which is recommended to provide social spaces to enhance the sense of place. Bussy street is the well–connected street which is recommended with parking provisions and frequent speed brakes to reduce the speed of the vehicles.