Comprehending the interaction between urban function and morphology at traffic analysis zones scale: The case study from Hangzhou

Abstract

Urbanisation is transitioning from disorderly sprawl to compact intensification, accompanied by functional differentiation and morphological changes spatially. This study addresses the relationship between urban functions and morphologies at the block scale in Hangzhou. Leveraging geo-big data, we adopt a points of interest (POI) weighting method to map four essential urban functions—residential, commercial, public service, and industrial—at the traffic analysis zones (TAZ) scale. Additionally, we estimate morphological indices using building footprint data and building volume data. Our investigation reveals intriguing patterns: residential, commercial, and public service functions exhibit a central concentration trend diminishing towards the periphery, whereas industrial functions demonstrate a multi-hotspot distribution. Morphological indices like patch density and mean volume diminishing towards the periphery, while mean patch size and patch shape index, presenting a pronounced peripheral and multi-hotspot distribution trend. Significantly, nuanced associations between urban functions and morphologies were elucidated. Residential zones tend to display dense and small patches, while commercial areas showcase larger patches, volumes, and complex shapes. Furthermore, construction intensity-based heterogeneity analysis unveils dynamics in the relationship between functions and morphologies, particularly pronounced in high-density areas. These findings underscore the importance of integrating morphological considerations into urban planning, offering a fresh perspective for functional zoning planning.