IN-PERSON Barcelona Livable Cities. Section A

Abstract

In the realm of urban studies, Barcelona’s superblock stands out as a remarkable paradigm for urban planning and has significantly enhanced the city’s urban livability (UL). To further explore the link between Urban Road Networks (URN) and UL, this study combines multiple network analysis methods with the perspective of Subjective Well-being (SWB), and is framed within the broader theoretical context of “space and society”. Specifically, the study uses Multiple Centrality Assessment (MCA), Street-located Area (SLA) based on modularity analysis, and Street Pattern (SP) clustered from 13 network attributes to precisely characterize urban road networks (URN). These methods together provide a comprehensive understanding of the spatial organization and connectivity of URN. By incorporating SWB data derived from social media, the study connects individual behaviors with macro social spatial structures. The research focuses on three countries with different urban planning philosophies: Spain, the UK, and the US. Through correlation analysis, regression models, difference analysis, and machine learning, the study examines the link between URN properties and SWB, as well as their differences across these three countries. This study enriches the theoretical understanding of urban livability and offers empirical support for urban renewal policies, promoting sustainable urban development.