Claudia Yamu

Claudia Yamu is professor of urban analytics at Oslo Metropolitan University. She is founding director of the Centre for Advanced Studies in Urban Science and Design (CASUS) in the Netherlands.

Yamu is a leading expert on fractal models and transport land use planning including people's behaviour in cities applying a wide-range of analytical techniques including method and tool development at the forefront of virtual modelling. As a former project consultant she excels in combining the theoretical innovations with practice-oriented solutions and has been involved in numerous international projects. She dedicates her work to the development of sustainable cities and regions.

Abstract

Multiscale planning with a fractal concept

In this talk I will discuss the relationship between urban form and travel and how we can apply a fractal planning concept to manage urban sprawl. We need more nuanced thinking as to how urban patterns should be structured if we want to manage urban sprawl and congestion in high density areas from automobile use. Herein, we have to take into consideration fundamental human needs of accessibility to social, cultural, recreational or shopping amenities. Presented fractal planning concept is based on the idea of different sized urban centres connected to functions and green areas at different temporal scales. Applied logic is bringing to mind Hillier`s discussion on pervasive centrality where a multi-scale centrality is introduced as a pervasive function in cities with clear spatial correlations. It is also reminiscent to Christaller` s central place theory. Further, I will introduce the multiscale, (multi)fractal planning model ‘Fractalopolis’ and the model`s latest developments as a GIS plugin. Finally, I will make a link to digital twins. My approach is perhaps somewhat optimistic. Nevertheless, we need to apply, test and verify existing ideas and develop new ideas in order to tackle climate change and to ensure future cities.

Yamu C, Frankhauser P (2015) Spatial accessibility to amenities, natural areas and urban green spaces: using a multiscale, multifractal simulation model for managing urban sprawl, Environment and Planning B, 42(6), 1054–1078, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1068/b130171p