Complex Mathematics Tools in Urban Studies

Abstract

During centuries, the Theory of Architecture and Urbanism has been trying to describe and understand complex realities: the concept of beauty, how creative process are develop, or the meaning of a city, for example. In order to achieve explanations, sometimes we have built theories based in social issues; in other occasions we turn to Art with the aim of finding answers. And sometimes, we also use Science as a tool of understanding. About this last resource, it is possible to verify how the use of a rational deterministic point of view, has produced from buildings to urban models. Nevertheless, in the last decades it is possible to find approaches to Architecture and Urban studies based in a different kind of science, the one which we usually know in general as 'science of complexity'. In this paper we would like to reflect about how graphs theory allow us to have an instrument of analysis and understanding of complex systems such as old towns. We will see how in any urban tissues in which is difficult to find an order, traditional science tools seem to be incapable to describe the real complexity of them. Using graphs, then implementing a special algorithm, and finally with a proper graphic tool we are able to visualize the impact of different matters in these systems. To analyze the potential but also the limits of this kind of studies, is the aim of this paper

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Author Information
Jose Oliver, University of Alicante, Spain
Taras Agryzcov, University of Alicante, Spain
Leandro Tortosa, University of Alicante, Spain
Jose Vicent, University of Alicante, Spain

• Category: Dubai Conference Series 2016, IICSSDubai2016, Oral Presentation, Paper Available
• Tag: Urban Studies,

Posted by James Alexander Gordon

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