This paper outlines recent research looking at ‘spatial culture’ and the culture of cities. Previous studies of cities show distinct morphological and syntactic differences between distinct cultural settings. This study examines the differences in morphology of different areas of the walled city of Ahmedabad, where different ethnic communities live in distinct localities. This analysis was carried out by using space syntax methodology. Different localities within the walled city were studied, both as they are embedded in the city, and in isolation. This was done in order to find the differences in their organisation of spaces and their relation to their immediate neighbourhoods, as well as to find the relation of spaces to other spaces within the walled area.

The investigation showed many similarities in the local areas of Ahmedabad in terms of their syntactic values and the structuring principles of spaces. But a detailed analysis showed some differences in the spatial patterns of Hindu and Muslim communities.


www.spacesyntax.net/symposia/sss4/fullpapers/74Ramanpaper.pdf