Urban form and the socioeconomic and environmental dimensions of cities
Vítor Oliveira
Abstract
Despite advances in debate on the relationships between urban form and socioeconomic and environmental dimensions of cities, many perspectives are being developed in isolation. This paper proposes a more integrated view of this relationship. It examines the correlation between specific physical patterns and certain levels of socioeconomic diversity and environmental sustainability, which are fundamental characteristics of cities. Whilst morphological investigation addresses the “town-plan” elements of the city, socioeconomic and environmental examinations focus on a set of indicators on education, employment, housing, economic activities, residents, workers, “moving individuals,” and green and blue infrastructure. The inquiry takes place in Porto, Portugal. The city is divided into its main urban tissues (patterns of combination of urban form elements). Within each tissue, one sample area is selected and characterized in physical, social, economic, and environmental terms. This comprehensive picture is complemented with a description of the daily habits of two hypothetical residents.