Function (biology)

Engineering

Biology

Social psychology

Form and function

Data mining

Computer science

Botany

Relation (database)

Morpho

Evolutionary biology

Cognitive science

Environmental planning

Psychology

Geography

Strengths and weaknesses

Architectural engineering

Urban Morphology

A methodology is proposed for assessing the physical form of urban areas. Termed morpho, it deals with fundamental elements of urban form: streets, plots and buildings. It includes seven assessment criteria: one for each of the elements individually; one for each relation between pairs of elements; and finally, one linking form and function. The application of this methodology provides a quantitative assessment of the ‘morphological basis’ of an urban area, identifying its strengths and weaknesses. It is argued that morpho can make an important contribution to urban research and practice.

Morpho: a methodology for assessing urban form