ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces B. Hillier's principles of centrality and linearity in urban form. It demonstrates prevalent models of city growth in urban studies - concentric zone, sector, and multi-nuclei theory - take different approaches to account for a tension between centrality and linearity in settlements. The chapter examines the local physical moves for designing the regular grid, arguing there are well-defined design methods for its formal composition, using space syntax. It shows how these design methods - grid expansion and deformation, street extension, and manipulation of block sizes - have an effect on the spatial pattern of American urban grids. The chapter also examines the spatial effect of 20th century suburban layouts on the urban pattern, which it characterizes as discrete separation by linear segregation. Contextual modeling leads to a contextual understanding, which leads to contextual thinking and solutions for the built environment. Designing for context is crucial for realizing the benefits of natural movement in urban environments.
