Building the Stayable City - Urban Design for Social Cohesion

Gao, T., Lim, S., Wong, D. K. H., & Schroepfer, T. (2024). From walking to staying: The impact of spatial qualities on socio-spatial segregation in innovation districts. Sustainable Cities and Society, 113, 105688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2024.105688

From walking to staying: The impact of spatial qualities on socio-spatial segregation in innovation districts

This study explores how innovation districts, like One-north in Singapore, can drive urban economic growth while addressing socio-spatial segregation. It emphasizes designing public spaces to encourage "staying activities" (e.g., sitting, playing, relaxing) over transient activities like walking or cycling, to foster social interaction among diverse socioeconomic groups.

Using a GeoAI workflow that combines data analysis, machine learning, and AI, the researchers evaluate 13 spatial quality indicators and their impact on staying activities. A deep neural network (DNN) model with an 83.74% accuracy rate shows that these indicators can predict where people from different income groups engage in staying activities.

Interestingly, features like visual diversity and greenery—typically associated with good public spaces—do not always increase staying activities. Their effectiveness depends on the specific functional context and land-use type within different parts of the district.

This research highlights the importance of tailoring public space designs to local contexts to encourage meaningful interactions and reduce segregation. The proposed GeoAI workflow offers a proactive tool to evaluate design strategies before construction, helping policymakers create more inclusive urban environments.

Open Source Article