Cultural heritage attractors: does spatial configuration matter? Applications of macro- and micro-spatial configurative analysis in the historic urban area of Rome

Top global heritage artifacts, such as those found in Rome's historic center, act as significant pedestrian flow attractors. A study published in Urban Morphology (2023) reveals that the spatial configuration of street networks plays a crucial role in determining the popularity and movement dynamics around these cultural landmarks. Using diachronic space syntax and micro-spatial analysis, researchers found strong correlations between the current popularity of heritage sites and their integration into the urban street network. Notably, highly attractive artifacts retain their status as movement attractors even amid city growth and transformation. Additionally, micro-spatial parameters—such as building entrances' spatial relationships with streets—influence pedestrian route choices at a local level. This research underscores how both macro- and micro-scale spatial configurations shape human movement in historic urban areas.

Arbara, S., Van Nes, A., & Pereira Roders, A. (2023). Cultural heritage attractors: does spatial configuration matter? Applications of macro- and micro-spatial configurative analysis in the historic urban area of Rome. Urban Morphology, 27(2), 121–142. https://doi.org/10.51347/um27.0012