Benchmarking Urban Clustering with Spectral Graph Analysis
摘要
This work advances previous research [anonymized] into the application of spectral analysis to urban morphology in two ways. First, it refines cluster selection process and second, it utilizes weighted aggregation of cluster boundaries to more subtly reflect the porosity of neighborhood borders and the multi-scalar formations that characterize urban space, rather than searching for a single optimal solution. The primary case study is that of Beirut, a city fragmented not only by a history of sectarian conflict but equally by piecemeal development and lack of a clear planning directive. The contradictions and multiplicity of the city’s contrasting regions provides a robust, compelling, and challenging object of study. Finally, the paper concludes with comparisons between the outcomes calculated and previous studies that approached the definition of neighborhood boundaries and connections empirically from the perspective of bottom-up resident accounts [1] and computationally with regard to pedestrian traffic and walkability [2].