The Impact of Spatial Layout on Orientation and Wayfinding in Public Housing Estates Using Isovist Polygons and Shape Matching Algorithms

Abstract

Hong Kong progressively constructs high-density public housing estates to accommodate the increasing population. Standardised apartment construction systems often result in homogeneous environments, so increased efforts have been made to diversify housing estate spaces through varied tower arrangements and public space layouts. There is a lack of research, however, on the impact of these variations on the visual perception of the in-between spaces, and on the potential for orientation and wayfinding. Computational analysis of visibility characteristics along pedestrian circulation pathways can be conducted, to better understand the spatial and configurational properties of public housing estates in relation to people’s visual orientation and sense of place. In this paper, we explore a new method for quantifying the uniqueness of spaces within high-density urban environments using visibility analysis. Our approach adopts recently emerged computer vision techniques and shape matching algorithms to conduct large scale and fine-grained spatial analysis of isovist polygon outlines, as isovists’ geometric properties have been linked to social behaviour in urban environments in neurophysiological research and behavioural studies. Using two case study estates in Hong Kong, we demonstrate how our methodology can quantify aspects of spatial perception of public open spaces in high-density urban environments, giving detailed insights into the estates’ repetitive or unique spatial characteristics and their potential impact on residents’ sense of place and community identity.