Using Fractal Dimensions for Characterizing Intra‐urban Diversity: The Example of Brussels

The objective of this paper is to compare fractal‐based parameters calculated by different fractal methods for urban built‐up areas and to link the observed spatial variations to variables commonly used in urban geography, urban economics, or land‐use planning. Computations are performed on Brussels...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geographical analysis 2003-10, Vol.35 (4), p.310-328
Main Authors: Keersmaecker, Marie‐Laurence, Frankhauser, Pierre, Thomas, Isabelle
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Belgium
Bgi / Prodig
Cities
Geography
Human geography
Land use
Morphology
Urban economics
Urban geography
Urban planning
Urban studies
Urban theory
Urbanism
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Summary:The objective of this paper is to compare fractal‐based parameters calculated by different fractal methods for urban built‐up areas and to link the observed spatial variations to variables commonly used in urban geography, urban economics, or land‐use planning. Computations are performed on Brussels, Belgium. Two fractal methods (correlation and dilation) are systematically applied for evaluating the fractal dimension of built‐up surfaces; correlation is used to evaluate the fractal dimension of the borders (lines). Analyses show that while fractal dimension is ideal for distinguishing the morphology of Brussels, each estimation technique leads to slightly different results. Interesting associations are to be found between the fractal dimensions and rent, distance, income, and planning rules. Despite its limitations, fractal analysis seems to be a promising tool for describing the morphology of the city and for simulating its genesis and planning. The model is robust: it replicates the urban spatial regularities and patterns, and could hence fruitfully be integrated into intra‐urban simulation processes.
ISSN:0016-7363
1538-4632
DOI:10.1111/j.1538-4632.2003.tb01117.x