The International Seminar on Urban Form (ISUF) is the primary platform for exchanging ideas and research outputs on urban morphology, a discipline that focuses on the formation of human settlements and their transformation over time. This year, the conference was held in São Paulo, one of the largest cities in the world and the most populous in Brazil.
Alessandro, our research associate, participated in the conference to present the results of a correlation analysis between the outcomes of our survey on psychological responses of people in three UK cities—Glasgow, London, and Winchester—and metrics describing their morphological structures. In brief, the research found that more geometrically regular spaces, characterized by buildings with regular shapes, rectilinear streets, and buildings and plots aligned with their respective streets, are associated with greater stress restoration. The full paper will be available soon in the conference proceedings.
The presentation was well received by the audience, and several questions and observations were made, particularly regarding potential biases related to weather conditions and the socioeconomic levels of respondents. These considerations will be addressed by Alessandro in the next phases of his research project.
Highlights of the conference included a keynote speech by Olgu Çalışkan, Professor of Urban Design and Morphology at the Middle East Technical University of Ankara, who summarized the qualitative and quantitative approaches to urban morphology that have emerged over the last century. The gala dinner, held in a skyscraper with stunning views over São Paulo, and a visit to an informal settlement in the city’s northeastern periphery, were also notable moments.
