SPATIAL CONFIGURATION, SPATIAL BEHAVIOUR AND SPATIAL COGNITION: SYNTACTIC AND PERCEPTUAL ANALYSYS OF THE MARKET STATION AREA IN PORTO ALEGRE

摘要

The paper investigates the role of spatial configuration in shaping users' spatial behavior and spatial cognition in the central area of Porto Alegre and the effects of Market Metro Station on the legibility and imageability of the area. In order to measure these environmental qualities, accessibility, user perception of urban security, morphologic characteristics, pedestrian movement, intensity and location of activities are investigated. Data were collected by complementary techniques, such as physical measurements, interviews, cognitive maps, observations of behavior, questionnaires, information about passengers gathered from the Metro Central Office, information about crime collected from the City Council Urban Security Sector and configurational analysis. The results of integration analysis about the influence of intensity of pedestrian movement on urban security are not similar to the many studies carried out elsewhere.