Investigating the socio-spatial relations of the built environment using the Space Syntax analysis – A case study of Tirana City

Globalization, densification, and the urban growth require the establishment of an interdisciplinary set of tools, which will allow the analysis of the morphological, spatial, social and functional qualities of the city. Space Syntax in the urban design is applied in the modelling of the human behaviour by the examination of the spatial configuration of the urban systems. Analysis of the spatial integration, connectivity and visual exposure of open spaces and paths in combination with the land use patterns indicates the areas, which facilitate the social and commercial activities. This approach is implemented on the four residential complexes of the city of Tirana. Results show the correlation between the type and location of the activities and the spatial and visual integration. The applied methodology is suitable for the preliminary comprehension of the social dimension of the urban projects at the design stage. The insights from the study are appropriate to be used as the urban planning policies in the developing countries of the Global South.