Using human motion intensity as input for urban design

Article published in the «Proceedings of the Communications in Computer and Information Science INTERHUB 2011» — 2012 — Vol. 277 — p. 128-136.This paper presents a study investigating the potential use of human motion intensities as input for parametric urban design. Through a computer vision analysis of thermal images, motion intensity maps are generated and utilized as design drivers for urban design patterns; and, through a case study of a town square, human occupancy and motion intensities are used to generate situated or topologies presenting new adaptive methods for urban design. These methods incorporate local or as design drivers for canopy, pavement and furniture layout. The urban design solution may be congured due to various parameters such as security, comfort, navigation, eciency, or aesthetics.