Multicriteria methodology for open space analysis: Understanding environmental performance and diversity

Abstract

This paper describes an urban analysis method for the evaluation of the diversity of open spaces. Diversity is understood as the variety of options that a public space offers to the users, giving them the opportunity to choose the area which best suits their needs, activities, and personal preferences. The method facilitates an environmental quality assessment and comparative evaluation between spaces. Decision support tools based on data analysis are developed to facilitate technical urban design decisions. The methodology is based on a multi-criteria analysis of a public square in Madrid, Spain. Field measurements of climatic data and thermal properties of materials, the activities carried out by people and their location, as well as factors related to urban design are collated in the analysis. Data are complimented with bioclimatic and simulation tools. The analysis identifies differentiated thermal profiles, as well as patterns of use of the space. This enables the identification of specific locations currently favored by citizens and the microclimatic and spatial variety of the square.