UCL technology helps Space Syntax reveal human impact on urban planning

UCL Business have successfully negotiated a renewal of Space Syntax’s licence of Depthmap, a unique software tool that allows the company to model movement and usage patterns within proposed developments, highlighting peak activity areas and movement paths. With a number of high-profile projects already benefiting from this analytical technology, such as the redevelopment of Trafalgar Square in London and the World Trade Centre in New York, this renewal is a resounding endorsement of Depthmap and the research that lies behind it.

In addition, a new UCL development called EVAS, for which Space Syntax have negotiated an exclusive licence, will allow even greater interrogation of the proposed designs. EVAS introduces ‘virtual agents’ who can be set specific tasks to complete within the design, acting with free-will just as people do. By monitoring millions of agents performing individual tasks, virtually any usage scenario can be tested. This represents a step-change in the breadth and detail of analysis that can be generated.

With an already enviable list of public and private sector clients, the adoption of EVAS looks set to drive even more major project developers to seek out Space Syntax’s unique quantitative approach to design assessment.

Of the new technology licences, Space Syntax Director, Chris Stutz commented, “Depthmap has already allowed us to create compelling evidence for design decisions at key stages of major private and civic developments and we are delighted to have renewed our licence with UCL Business. Now, with the additional data generated by EVAS, clients can be assured that specific scenarios and usage patterns can be measured in depth, guaranteeing their money is being spent in the right areas and not wasted on costly design mistakes, and that their projects will realise the social and economic ambitions they have set.”

Space Syntax Ltd.
Space Syntax provides a unique, evidence based approach to the planning and design of buildings and cities. Our focus is the creation of environments that are socially and economically successful. We use world-leading technologies developed within UCL to generate knowledge and make proposals. Our evidence and ideas empower people and help them make key decisions about the world around them.

Web: www.spacesyntax.com