Field of work

Professor Dr. Scient. Akkelies van Nes is working at the Faculty of Engineering and Business, Department of Civil Engineering, at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences in Bergen, Norway.

Van Nes is a leading international Space Syntax expert. She was the chairwoman of the 5th International Space Syntax Symposium held in Delft 2005 (SpaceSyntax2005 (tudelft.nl)) and is the chairwoman for the 13th international Syntax Symposium in Bergen in 2022 (13th International Space Syntax Symposium - Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (hvl.no)). She also chaired the first international online space syntax PhD congress in June 2021, hosted by Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (1st International Space Syntax Phd Conference 21 June 2021 - Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (hvl.no))

Van Nes has been leading and involved in several international research projects related to mobility and network characteristics, such as revealing the relationship between space and energy use for transport, space and crime in neighbourhoods, street life, urban centres and economic development, applying space syntax in regenerating urban areas, developing theories on the relationship between urban space and urban sustainability. The core of her research activities is developing and applying various spatial analyses tools on built environments on various scale levels and test them on various socio-economic data, results from other research, and energy data. For more info: Space Syntax in Norway - Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (hvl.no)

Van nes has been involved in the following EU funded projects: RUFUS (rural future networks 2008-2012, NODES (New Tools for Design and Operation of Urban Transport Interchanges) 2012-2016 and SPACERGY (Space-Energy pattern for smart energy infrastructures, community reciprocities & related governance) 2016-2019.

van Nes applies space syntax in several different disciplines, such as archeology, architecture, urban geography, urban sociology, real estate development, criminology, strategic planning, urbanism, and road engineering. She is actively developing and using space syntax in research, consultancy and in teaching on built environments.

 

Current research topics:

Theory and method development of space syntax. Link: Sustainability | Special Issue : Space Syntax and the Sustainable City: Theory, Methods and Applications (mdpi.com)

Current teaching activities:

New textbook on the space syntax method in urban studies. Link: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-59140-3

Recent consultancy activities:

Application of space syntax in the densification strategies of Bergen municipality. Link: Sustainability | Free Full-Text | A Scientific Approach to the Densification Debate in Bergen Centre in Norway (mdpi.com)

Courses taught
  • BYG130 Urban transformation
  • MOA 256 Theory and methods of science
  • MOA272 Urban planning
  • MOA300 MSc thesis
Research areas
  • Development and application of the Space syntax method (homepage)
  • Development of urban analyses methods
  • Lively and safe neighborhoods
  • Development of urban theories
  • The physical conditions for sustainable cities
  • The walking and cycling city
  • Densification in urban areas
  • Urban centrality and road and street building
  • Transformation of urban areas
Research groups

Spatial planning and urban studies (homepage)

Space Syntax in Norway (homepage)

Publications

  • Discovering the Axial Lines of Bunus River as a Social Network in Kampong Bharu using Space Syntax Analysis

    Sham, Rashidah Jimi, Mahdzar, Sharifah Salwa Syed, Zaman, Nurulhusna Qamaruz, Jalil, Nurul Amira Abd, van Nes, Akkelies (2023)
  • The Nordic Network of Urban Morphology (NNUM) – Urban form research in Scandinavia.

    Stojanovski, Todor, van Nes, Akkelies, Partanen, Jenny, Kirt Strandbygaard, Sofie, Abarkan, Abdellah (2023)
  • Hvordan GIS-baserte analyser kan gi nyttig kunnskap til krevende planprosesser for fortetting

    Roald, Hans Jacob, Andresen, Trygve, de Koning, Remco Elric, van Nes, Akkelies (2023)
  • Cultural heritage attractors: does spatial configuration matter? Applications of macro-and micro-spatial configurative analysis in the historic urban area of Rome

    Arbara, Sophia, van Nes, Akkelies, Pereira Roders, Ana (2023)
  • Track 2. The City is an Object & A City is in Transition

    Hausleitner, Birgit, van den Burg, Leo, van Nes, Akkelies (2023)
  • Investigating the spatial network of playgrounds during covid-19 based on a space syntax analysis case study: 10 playgrounds in Delft, the Netherlands

    Istiani, Noor Fajrina Farah, Alkadri, Miktha Farid, van Nes, Akkelies, Susanto, Dalhar (2023)
  • Phenotypes and Genotypes of Traditional Norwegian Wooden Farms: Space Syntax Analyses of Norway’s Smallest Settlement Units

    van Nes, Akkelies (2022)
  • Space Syntax in spatial planning: A short introduction to its methods, theory development, and application in practice

    van Nes, Akkelies (2022)
  • Spatial and social segregation in Bergen. Spatial and social analyses of the neighbourhoods Laksevåg and Sandviken

    Berge, Eivind Iden, van Nes, Akkelies, Reksten, Connie Harriet Kapstad (2022)
  • The problem of implementing sustainable mobility means in average sized Norwegian Towns. Spatial analyses of Notodden and Førde

    Kråkenes, Alette Hus, Gjerland, Ane Marie, van Nes, Akkelies, Roald, Hans-Jacob (2022)
  • The natural route choice of bicyclists in Urban areas. Snail-trailing bicyclists in Bergen centre

    Bolset, Ole Martin, Kampenhøy, Anders, Tan, Wendy, van Nes, Akkelies (2022)
  • Evaluating the state of Transit-Oreinted Development in Norway. The Node-Place-Design model and Form Syntax applied in the InterCity-Triangle in the Oslo Fjord Region

    Myklebust, Sverre, van Nes, Akkelies, Tan, Wendy (2022)
  • Using space syntax to access accessibility of multi urban hubs and seamless mobility within the hubs. Case study Delft-Campus station

    Torabi, Fatemeh, Mokhtarzadeh, Safoora, van Nes, Akkelies, van Oort, Niels, Hoogendoorn, Serge (2022)
  • Strategies for sustainable densification along new light rail stops. Option testing with space syntax at Skjoldskiftet in Bergen, Norway

    Follestad, Karoline, Moen Lauritzen, Synne Marie, van Nes, Akkelies, Dyrkolbotn, Sjur Kristoffer (2022)
  • Revitalisation of Mosterhamn. Spatial strategies for improving and old coastal village in Western Norway

    Norland Vistnes, Kjersti, Rydingen, Linn, van Nes, Akkelies, Roald, Hans-Jacob (2022)
  • Strategies for densification of Longyearbyen. Spatial, morphological, geological, and social analyses of the arctic town Longyearbyen in Norway

    Sæbø, Mari, Værness, Kristine, van Nes, Akkelies, Reksten, Connie Harriet Kapstad (2022)
  • Applying space syntax in strategic planning of Grimstad town in Norway. A feasibility study

    Stedal, Stian, Søllesvik, Karoline, van Nes, Akkelies, Ahmer, Carolyn (2022)
  • Densification and urban transformation with space syntax. A feasibility study for the Slettebakken neighbourhood in Bergen, Norway

    Olsen Fløystrand, Fredrik, van Nes, Akkelies, Ahmer, Carolyn (2022)
  • The traditional half day DepthmapX workshop

    van Nes, Akkelies (2022)
  • Phenotypes and genotypes of traditional Norwegian Wooden farms. Space syntax analyses of Norway’s smallest settlement unit

    van Nes, Akkelies (2022)
  • The Power of number 13

    van Nes, Akkelies (2022)
  • Proceedings 13th international space syntax symposium

    van Nes, Akkelies, de Koning, Remco Elric (2022)
  • Noise and spatial configuration in Biskra, Algeria: A space syntax approach to understand the built environment for visually impaired people

    Djenaihi, Walid-Mahfoud, Zemmouri, Noureddine, Djenane, Moussadek, van Nes, Akkelies (2021)
  • The 1rst international online space syntax PhD conference. Book of abstracts

    van Nes, Akkelies, Tan, Wendy (2021)
  • Measuring the Degree of Permeability of the Main Route Network with Angular Step Depth Analyses

    van Nes, Akkelies (2021)
  • Introduction to Space Syntax in Urban Studies

    van Nes, Akkelies, Yamu, Claudia (2021)
  • Bill Hillier’s legacy: Space syntax—a synopsis of basic concepts, measures, and empirical application

    Yamu, Claudia, van Nes, Akkelies, Garau, Chiara (2021)
  • The impact of the ring roads on the location pattern of shops in town and city centres. A space syntax approach

    van Nes, Akkelies (2021)
  • Spatial configurations and walkability potentials. Measuring urban compactness with space syntax

    van Nes, Akkelies (2021)
  • Boliger for alle: Et tidsskille i norsk boligpolitikk

    Reksten, Connie Harriet Kapstad, Roald, Hans Jacob, Ahmer, Carolyn, Bjelland, Anne Sofie Handal, Dyrkolbotn, Sjur Kristoffer, Lyng, Ane Margrethe (2021)
  • Depthmap manual for Dummies (..or for those of us with limited computer knowledge…) - version 20 https://github.com/SpaceGroupUCL/depthmapX

    van Nes, Akkelies, Yamu, Claudia, Mohammed, Abdelbasseer, Song, Chunyan (2020)
  • A Scientific Approach to the Densification Debate in Bergen Centre in Norway

    de Koning, Remco Elric, Roald, Hans Jacob, van Nes, Akkelies (2020)
  • Exploring challenges in Space Syntax theory building: The use of positivist and hermeneutic explanation models

    van Nes, Akkelies, Yamu, Claudia (2020)
  • Sexual violence in the city: Space, gender, and the occurrence of sexual violence in Rotterdam

    Miranda, Julia Vansetti, van Nes, Akkelies (2020)
  • Assessing Spatial Configurations and Transport Energy Usage for Planning Sustainable Communities

    de Koning, Remco Elric, Tan, Wendy, van Nes, Akkelies (2020)
  • Fractals: a multiscale approach in regional and urban planning strategies

    Yamu, Claudia, van Nes, Akkelies (2020)
  • SPACERGY Space-Energy Patterns for Smart Energy Infrastructures, Community Reciprocities and Related Governance

    Maiullari, Daniela, Romero, Martin Mosteiro, de Koning, Remco Elric, van Timmeren, Arjan, van Nes, Akkelies, Schlueter, Arno (2019)
  • Space Syntax. A scientific method to analyse urban space and spatial relationships independent on socio-economic data

    van Nes, Akkelies (2019)
  • Flat versus volumetric methodologies. Restructuring spatial analysis and other indices

    Bruyns, Gerhard, Nel, Darren, Higgens, Christopher, van Nes, Akkelies (2019)
  • Space Syntax. Tools for analysing spatial and socio-economic potentials in urban space

    van Nes, Akkelies (2019)
  • Urban Space and Energy Usage

    de Koning, Remco Elric, van Nes, Akkelies (2019)
  • How two divergent ideologies impact the location of functions in relation to spatial integration in arctic settlements

    de Koning, Remco Elric, van Nes, Akkelies (2019)
  • How children use urban space in two different neighbourhoods in Bergen, Norway

    Meinert, Magnus, Thomassen, S.T., van Nes, Akkelies, Roald, Hans Jacob, Skovsgaard, Tanja Lindgaard (2019)
  • The role of building entrances towards streets and the perception of safety in six neighbourhoods in Bergen

    Rønneberg Nordhov, N.A., Weebe Ritland, Paal, Larsen, Anders, van Nes, Akkelies (2019)
  • Fractal urban models and their potential for sustainable mobility

    Yamu, Claudia, van Nes, Akkelies (2019)
  • The effects of new bypass roads on small Norwegian towns

    Lilleslett, Sander, Ladehaug, Karine, van Nes, Akkelies (2019)
  • Street networks as place of social interaction in culturally diverse neighbourhoods of Istanbul

    Toprak, Ilgi, Ünlü, Alper, van Nes, Akkelies (2019)
  • Segregation patterns in the street interface of the Brazilian city. Towards a method to read the effects of local spatial segregation

    Carvalho Filho, Luiz, van Nes, Akkelies, Nascimento, C (2019)
  • Depthmap workshop 12SSS

    van Nes, Akkelies (2019)
  • Various morphological analyses methods applied in teaching on BSc and MSc level

    van Nes, Akkelies (2019)
  • #WomenSpatialActivism: Designing for the re-appropriation of public spaces by women in New Delhi, India

    Gupta, Sugandha, Calabrese, Luisa Maria, van Nes, Akkelies (2019)
  • Applied Mathematics on Urban Space

    van_Nes, Akkelies (2019)
  • Urban Micro Scale Tools: A method to measure the relationship between private and public space

    van_Nes, Akkelies, Lopez, Manuel J J (2018)
  • Spatio-syntactical analysis and historical spatial potentials: The case of Jaffa-Tel Aviv

    Aleksandrowicz, Or, Yamu, Claudia, van_Nes, Akkelies (2018)
  • Isovist analysis

    van_Nes, Akkelies (2018)
  • Planning codes and the emergence of urban form

    Carvalho Filo, Luiz, van_Nes, Akkelies (2018)
  • The application of modal logics for theory building in Urban Morphology and Space Syntax

    van_Nes, Akkelies (2018)
  • Morphological analysis of settlements in the Arctic: a comparative analysis of four settlements with diverging ideologies on Svalbard

    de Koning, Remco Elric, van_Nes, Akkelies (2018)
  • The materialisation of Jane Jacob's view "eyes in streets": Quantitative tools to measure adjacency, permeability and inter-visibility between buildings and streets

    van_Nes, Akkelies, Lopez, Manuel J J (2018)
  • Jane Jacobs gekwantificeerd

    Lopez, Manuel J J, van_Nes, Akkelies (2018)
  • Space Syntax – A method to measure urban space related to social, economic and cognitive factors

    van Nes, Akkelies, Yamu, Claudia (2018)
  • An Integrated Modeling Approach Combining Multifractal Urban Planning with a Space Syntax Perspective

    Yamu, Claudia, van_Nes, Akkelies (2017)
  • Strategies for integrated densification with urban qualities. Combining Space Syntax with building density, land usage, public transport and property rights in Bergen city

    van_Nes, Akkelies, de Koning, Remco Elric, Ye, Yu, Roald, Hans Jacob (2017)
  • Space and crime in built environments

    van Nes, Akkelies (2017)
  • Space Syntax - challenges for theory building

    van Nes, Akkelies (2017)
  • Depthmap workshop in Biskra

    van Nes, Akkelies (2017)
  • Depthmap workshop 11th international space syntax symposium

    van Nes, Akkelies (2017)
  • Urban codes inducing street life, a possible approach for the Brazilian case

    Carvalho Filho, Luiz, van Nes, Akkelies (2017)
  • What is the explanatory power of Space Syntax theory? The application of modal logics from theory of science

    van Nes, Akkelies (2017)
  • The socio-spatial development of Jaffa-Tel Aviv: The emergence and fade-away of ethnic divisions and distinctions

    Or, Alexander, Yamu, Claudia, van Nes, Akkelies (2017)
  • Diachronic assessment of cultural diversity in historic neighbourhoods using Space Syntax

    Toprak, Ilgi, Ünlü, Alper, van Nes, Akkelies (2017)
  • Planning codes and the design of the street interface. Reading the impact of spatial configuration on street life using micro-scale tools

    Carvalho Filho, Luiz, van Nes, Akkelies (2017)
  • Space and crime in North-African city of Annaba: Using Space Syntax to understand the strategy of offenders in the choice of location of street crime

    Laouar, Dounia, Mazouz, S, van Nes, Akkelies (2017)
  • Towards safer greater Cairo. An investigation of Space and Sexual Harassment

    Mohamed, Abdelbasseer, van Nes, Akkelies (2017)
  • Spatial accessibility and commercial land use patterns. Planned versus unplanned areas in Cairo

    Mohamed, Abdelbasseer, van Nes, Akkelies (2017)
  • Spatial improvement strategies for deprived neighbourhoods

    van Nes, Akkelies (2017)
  • Spatial tools for diagnosing the degree of safety and liveability, and to regenerate urban areas in The Netherlands

    van_Nes, Akkelies, Lopez, Manuel J J, de Bonth, Laura, Verhagen, Dirk, Waayer, Simone (2016)
  • Spatial tools for diagnosing the degree of safety and liveability, and to regenerate urban areas in the Netherlands

    van Nes, Akkelies, Lopez, Manuel J J, de Bonth, Laura, Verhagen, Dirk, Waayer, Simone (2016)
  • ‘‘Form Syntax’’ as a contribution to geodesign: A morphological tool for urbanity-making in urban design

    Ye, Yu, Yeh, Anthony J., Zhuang, Yu, van Nes, Akkelies, Liu, Jianzheng (2016)
  • Measuring Spatial Relationships in Past, Present and Future Built Environments

    van Nes, Akkelies (2016)
  • Depthmap workshop

    van Nes, Akkelies (2016)
  • Theory building in Space Syntax

    van Nes, Akkelies (2016)
  • Commercial land use optimalization: Planned versus unplanned areas in Cairo.

    van Nes, Akkelies, Mohamed, Abdelbasseer (2016)
  • Designing Urban Spatial Vitality from Morphological Perspective - A Study Based on Quantified Urban Morphology and Activities Testing

    van Nes, Akkelies, Ye, Yu, Yu, Zhuang, Lingzhu, Zhang (2016)
  • Space Syntax. The role of Space between buildings

    van Nes, Akkelies (2016)
  • The perceived safety and spatial behaviour in Three different neighbourhoods in Rotterdam

    van Nes, Akkelies, de Rooij, Lisa (2015)
  • Beyond informality: Traders as Space experts in their own informal settlements

    van Nes, Akkelies, Mohamed, Abdelbasseer (2015)
  • Space and protest: A tale of two Egyptian squares

    van Nes, Akkelies, Mohamed, Abdelbasseer (2015)
  • Ethnic Groups and behaviour in Rotterdam's neighbouhoods

    van Nes, Akkelies, Aghabeik, Lili (2015)
  • Making Spatial Diagnosis in Combining Space Syntax, Spacematrix and MXI with GIS of New and Old Towns.

    van_Nes, Akkelies, Ye, Yu (2014)
  • A comprehensive spatial-social classification of 40 deprived neighbourhoods in the Netherlands

    van_Nes, Akkelies, Lopez, Manuel J J (2014)
  • Space Syntax in Theory and Practice

    van_Nes, Akkelies (2014)
  • Understanding urban segregation in Cairo

    van Nes, Akkelies, Mohamed, Abdelbasseer, Salheen, Mohamed, Khalifa, Mohamed, Hamhaber, Johan (2014)
  • The spatial flaws of New towns: Morphological comparison between a Chinese New and old town through the Application of Space syntax, spacematrix and mixed use index

    van Nes, Akkelies, Ye, Yu (2014)
  • Quantitative Tools in urban morphology: combining Space syntax, spacematrix and mixed-use index in a GIS framework

    van Nes, Akkelies, Ye, Yu (2014)
  • Measuring urban maturation processes in Dutch and Chinese new towns: Combining street network configuration with building density and degree of land use diversification through GIS

    van_Nes, Akkelies, Ye, Yu (2013)
  • How Space syntax can be applied in regenerating urban areas

    van Nes, Akkelies, Lopez, Manuel J J, de Bonth, Laura, Verhagen, Dirk, Waayer, Simone (2013)
  • Spatial-socio classification of deprived neighbourhoods in the Netherlands. Strategies for neighbourhood revitalisation

    van Nes, Akkelies, Lopez, Manuel J J (2013)
  • The socio-economic implications of the spatial configuration in greater Cairo Metropolitan area

    van Nes, Akkelies, Mohamed, Abdelbasseer, Salheen, Mohamed, Kohlert, Christine, Schwander, Christian (2013)
  • The spatial flaws of New towns

    van Nes, Akkelies, Ye, Yu (2013)
  • Het stratenpatroon als veiligheidsindicator: Over de waarde van ruimtelijke modelleringstechnieken voor planvorming in probleemwijken

    van_Nes, Akkelies, Lopez, Manuel J J (2012)
  • Between Heaven and Earth: Christian Norberg-Schulz's contribution to the phenomenology of place and architecture

    van_Nes, Akkelies (2012)
  • The one- and two-dimenstional isovists analyes in space syntax

    van_Nes, Akkelies (2011)
  • Measuring Spatial Visibility, Adjacency, Permeability, and Degrees of Street Life in Pompeii

    van_Nes, Akkelies (2011)
  • Ruimtelijke ordening als wapen tegen onveiligheid

    van_Nes, Akkelies, Lopez, Manuel J J (2010)
  • Macro and Micro Scale Spatial Variables and the Distribution of Residential Burglaries and Theft from Cars. An investigation of space and crime in the Dutch cities of Alkmaar and Gouda

    van_Nes, Akkelies, Lopez, Manuel J J (2010)
  • The Randstad utopia and its spatial reality / Various types of centralities and its contradictions with Dutch planning policies

    van_Nes, Akkelies (2009)
  • Realizing Rural Futures RUFUS (Rural Future Networks): EU Funded 7th Framework Project.

    van_Nes, Akkelies, Tan, Wendy W Y (2009)
  • Dynamic urban centrality

    van_Nes, Akkelies (2009)
  • Space Syntax, een nieuwe tool in de box

    van_Nes, Akkelies, Neddermeijer, Henk (2009)
  • Adjacency, permeability and inter-visibility. Micro scale spatial analyses tools for revealing the private-public space relationship and its impact on urban safety

    van_Nes, Akkelies (2008)
  • The heaven, the earth and the optic array: Norberg Schulz's place phenomenology and its degree of operationability

    van_Nes, Akkelies (2008)
  • Research conclusions and challenges for interventions

    van_Nes, Akkelies, Rocco, Roberto, Bruyns, Gerhard, Pinilla, Camilo (2007)
  • The new east-west infrastructure - the Rijnland route and the Rijn Gouwe Lijn

    van_Nes, Akkelies (2007)
  • The West Flank area and the Bio-science Park

    van_Nes, Akkelies (2007)
  • The Valkenburg airport area

    van_Nes, Akkelies (2007)
  • The Eastflank - gateway to Leiden

    van_Nes, Akkelies (2007)
  • Research by design

    van_Nes, Akkelies (2007)
  • Housing in sensible urban areas - "Cursing in the Church".

    van_Nes, Akkelies (2007)
  • Final discussion from the workshop week

    van_Nes, Akkelies (2007)
  • Centrality and economic development in the Rijnland region

    van_Nes, Akkelies (2007)
  • The 5th City

    van_Nes, Akkelies, Bruyns, Gerhard, Rosemann, Jurgen, Pinilla, Camilo, Rocco, Roberto (2007)
  • How building typology influences the natural movement economic proces: micro spatial conditions on the dispersal of shops and cafés in Amsterdam and Berlin

    van_Nes, Akkelies, Joosten, Victor (2005)
  • The location of advanced producer services and urban change: a space syntax approach

    van_Nes, Akkelies, Rocco, Roberto (2005)
  • Typology of shopping areas in Amsterdam

    van_Nes, Akkelies (2005)
  • Burglaries in the burglar's vicinity

    van_Nes, Akkelies (2005)
  • Welcome to the fifth international space syntax symposium

    van_Nes, Akkelies (2005)
  • Space syntax: meten aan de ruimte

    van_Nes, Akkelies (2005)
  • Urban street grid and urban sustainability

    van_Nes, Akkelies (2005)
  • 5th International Space Syntax Symposium Proceedings Volume 2

    van_Nes, Akkelies (2005)
  • 5th International Space Syntax Symposium. Proceedings Volume 1

    van_Nes, Akkelies (2005)