From Fractal Urban Pattern Analysis to Fractal Urban Planning Concepts

Fractal geometry can be used to develop a multiscale approach to investigate the spatial organization of urban fabrics. First, the concepts behind fractal reference models are introduced so as to provide a better understanding of the results obtained from empirical analyses of urban patterns. Then, different methods for conducting fractal analyses are presented and the results obtained for urban patterns are discussed. It turns out that, despite their irregular appearance, urban patterns are often organized by an inherent fractal order principle, at least across a certain range of scales. More detailed analysis of the findings reveals links between these fractal properties and the historical contexts in which cities or urban districts developed. The influence of specific urban planning concepts on fractal behavior may also be identified, whereas the national context has less of a hold. Urban fabrics emerge from complex interactions among various types of decision makers and are, in most cases, the outcome of a self-organizing process. However, by considering particular features of such urban fabrics and by comparing them with social demand and against certain planning concepts, a new planning concept can be proposed based on fractal logic, but intended for the sustainable development of metropolitan areas without excluding periurbanization. Software tools are presented for developing and evaluating scenarios for further urbanization of metropolitan areas.