TOPOLOGY AND SPACE-TIME STRUCTURE OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

The article continues the series of publications on cognitive urbanism - a newly applied field of research and design in built environment studies. The topological structure of the Built Environment incorporates the latest developments in urban studies and planning, such as: 'Pattern Language', 'Environmental Behaviour', 'Built Environment', 'Heterotopology', 'Space Syntax', 'Recombinant Urbanism', and others. Foucault considers the 'other place ' as something that can change our lives, to break the rules. In regular urban planning practice, however, we are faced with the opposite problem: to create a spatial model, appropriate to traditional socio-spatial relations that preserves the continuity of culture and lifestyle. This opposition and practical concern on the methods of design bring us to the idea of the new research strategy, named Cognitive Urbanism. Topological models of Cognitive Urbanism provide a conceptual framework for urban planning and design. Socio-spatial models of micro-, mezzo- and macro-levels [13] have proven to be useful tools for the analysis, design and use of public space. Variations of basic `morphotypes' can help to understand the traditional town landscape as a venue for social activity. The social aspects of topological modes can be described as episodes, scenarios, or social practices associated with certain space structures according to customs, traditions and norms of behaviour.