Space Syntax Laboratory Research Seminar: Stella Fox

Evidence of spatial and morphological change along the interface gateway-pathway of Jaffa and Tel Aviv

Abstract

This seminar presents work which is part of ongoing PhD research into the historical and contemporary relationships between the urban landscape(s) of Jaffa and Tel Aviv, with their contrasting histories of ancient city and modernist planned city, respectively. The main methodological approach is based on a transect study of an urban heritage gateway-pathway, following research developed by Tamara Zaninović. The study proposes the inclusion of an additional typology – an ‘interface gateway pathway’ – to the existing typologies of historical gateway pathways. The proposed interface gateway pathway signifies a route that connects two or more neighbouring urban settlements – one with historic presence, and the other a ‘modern’, 20th century settlement – that also acts as a barrier between two neighbourhoods. This method of examining the extent of change and resilience in the social, spatial configurational, and morphological characteristics along the interface gateway-pathway between Jaffa and Tel Aviv, and within its hinterland, enables a deeper understanding of the relationship between urban form and its social implications over time. 

The results of this enquiry find clear differentiation in network structure and morphology that is reflective of the interface gateway-pathway’s evolution over the course of the past two centuries. The analysis reveals that development of the planned landscape of Tel Aviv corresponds to the demolition of locally spatially integrated streets, resulting in a decline in land use diversity and numbers today, and increase in building footprint size. Consequently, the location of the spatial rupture signifies a clear divide between the social and morphological form of Jaffa and Tel Aviv, a divide that survey data confirms is perceived by individuals, and is manifested at the street-building interface on the ground. 

Speaker biography

Stella Fox is an AHRC-funded PhD candidate in the Space Syntax Lab, at The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL. She holds an Archaeology of Buildings MA from the University of York and a History of Art and French BA from Warwick University. Previously, Stella practiced as a Heritage Consultant at Lichfields, and until March 2020 was living in Jerusalem. In her spare time, Stella is a practicing photographer and illustrator.

About this series 

This academic seminar series features researchers sharing their findings, discussing their ideas and showing work in progress from The Bartlett's internationally renowned Space Syntax Laboratory. Seminars are moderated by PhD candidate Sepehr Zhand. They are open to the public and attended by Bartlett’s staff and students.

• Read more about the Space Syntax Laboratory
• Explore funding through the London Arts & Humanities Partnership
• Visit Stella Fox's website

Image: Photo stitch of Louis Vigne’s sequence (1860) looking south along Jaffa’s eastern wall, including Jerusalem Gate (in Burke et al., 2017, p.159)