Analyzing spatiotemporal features of Suzhou's old canal city: an optimized composite space syntax model based on multifaceted historical-modern data

Abstract Rivers and road systems play crucial roles in urban development and in shaping the vitality of cities. The present study focuses on the spatiotemporal development patterns of canal cities. Taking Suzhou as an example, employing various spatial measurement methods combined with multidimensional spatiotemporal data, it clearly demonstrates the urban morphological patterns and societal characteristics related to the road and river network systems at different stages of urban development. Utilizing data extracted from historical and modern maps of Suzhou and employing the YOLO (You Only Look Once) algorithm, this study establishes a spatiotemporal dataset for Suzhou's ancient city, a representative Chinese canal city. An optimized space syntax algorithm for public service facilities, utilizing Python library like Geopandas, Numpy, is proposed to analyze the river and road system's impact on historical development and urban morphology. With multiple spatial econometric models applied to maps from various periods, this research explores the following findings: (1) By controlling rivers as a variable, it quantitatively confirms that rivers were crucial components of urban systems in ancient cities, playing a significant role in urban development and activities, though gradually overlooked in modern times. (2) Public service facilities of different types demonstrate patterns of Accessibility and Integration within the river-road system across various periods. (3) Changes in the distribution of public service facilities correspond to phased shifts in the center of Suzhou’s ancient city, mutually validating the authenticity of realistic paintings, historical maps, and the methodologies used in this study. This study emphasizes a broader historical and spatiotemporal perspective, augmented by quantitative research methods. It investigates the distribution and developmental characteristics of various types of public service facilities across different periods. The research aim is to understand the impact of river and road systems on urban development, as well as the morphological and social changes in historical cities that arise from urban activities.