Generative landscape modeling in urban open space design: An experimental approach


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Serdar Yakut S. E., Erdem Kaya M.

Journal of Digital Landscape Architecture, vol.2019, no.4, pp.231-238, 2019 (Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 2019 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2019
  • Doi Number: 10.14627/537663025
  • Journal Name: Journal of Digital Landscape Architecture
  • Journal Indexes: Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.231-238
  • Keywords: Algorithmic landscape design, Generative landscape design, Simulation
  • Istanbul Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the algorithmic design thinking for the landscape through a generative modeling approach to urban open space. Focusing on dynamic interactions between spatial dispersion of hard-soft surfaces, shadow elements like tree locations and their impacts such as micro-climatic condition changes with human behaviors, were the primary inputs of the process. Using a case study from Turkey/Istanbul-Kadıköy, the reciprocal relations between social (human movement), physical (hard-soft structures) and ecological (surface radiation and microclimate analysis) parameters were studied, and how these relations formed the design was shown. The modeling process was defined in 4 algorithmically associated stages: firstly, field observations were conducted to collect data on vegetation and user behaviors, for site digitalization. After that, algorithmic parameters were defined in the second phase; and design constraints, as the first initiator of the interactive process, were identified. At the last stage, by the evaluation of all parameters with constraints, final design set-up was originated via a Quadtree algorithm. During these phases, user simulation data, surface radiation and outdoor mi-croclimate analysis findings were shown for comparison. Therefore, this study underlines the im-portance of the data for landscape design, and its process, rather than the final design solution.