Urbanmetrics: An Algorithmic-(Para)Metric Methodology for Analysis and Optimization of Urban Configurations

This chapter describes and evaluates the implementation of Urbanmetrics, a computational planning support methodology based on a set of algorithmic-parametric tools, developed to measure and optimize urban configurations through metrics related to principles derived from Transit Oriented Development (TOD)—an urban development model that advocates walkable, compact and mixed-use neighborhoods, centered around transport stations. More specifically, Urbanmetrics is used to analyze and improve urban configurations according to TOD principles such as transit acessibility, walkability, diversity and density. Urbanmetrics allows one to consider simultaneously physical metrics (e.g., distance), topological measures (e.g., connectivity and integration), and mathematical operations (e.g., algebraic, geometric) as fitness functions in optimization processes, to achieve improved solutions for urban arrangements within TOD scope. A principle-index-tool triad supports Urbanmetrics. That is, for each addressed principle, there is one or more corresponding indexes to measure and optimize the performance of a given area, accordingly to TOD criteria.