Military Strategies of Roman Cities Establishment Based on the Space Syntax Analysis Applied to the Vestiges of Timgad

Roman urban planning, particularly in Timgad (Algeria), was intricately designed to serve military and administrative objectives. A study using Space Syntax Analysis (SSA) revealed that the city's grid-like layout prioritized surveillance and control, with key military structures strategically placed along main roads and urban nodes. High SSA indicators—such as connectivity, integration, entropy, control, controllability, and through vision—demonstrated a deliberate effort to dominate space while reinforcing imperial authority. This synergy between military logic and urban design suggests that Roman town planning was not only functional but also symbolic, shaping long-lasting colonial city models beyond the Empire's duration.

Guedouh, M. S., Youcef, K., Belmahdi, H. S., Khadraoui, M. A., & Saraoui, S. (2025). Military Strategies of Roman Cities Establishment Based on the Space Syntax Analysis Applied to the Vestiges of Timgad. Heritage, 8(8), 324. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080324