Urban form is analyzed as a topological structure that encodes cognitive and functional information. Rather than focusing on geometric or stylistic features, this approach emphasizes the role of connectivity—how streets, paths, and open spaces are interrelated—as the basis for understanding urban intelligence. The city is interpreted as a non-linear, distributed system where spatial relations themselves shape patterns of movement, perception, and behavior. Using methods from graph theory and spatial cognition, urban layouts are modeled as networks of decision points and navigational affordances. This reveals that certain spatial configurations optimize access, visibility, and legibility, guiding users intuitively through the urban environment. Intelligence is thus embedded not in the users alone but in the structure itself—what the authors call topological intelligence. This framework enables both historical analysis (e.g. why some street systems endure and others fail) and generative design. By simulating cognitive agents within topological environments, designers can assess the intelligibility, permeability, and social potential of proposed layouts. This has implications for urban justice, accessibility, and sustainability, as connectivity correlates with economic activity, safety, and inclusion. Ultimately, the city is not just a space to be occupied but a system to be read and interacted with—an active interface between form, cognition, and collective life.
Buhl, J., Narvaez, D., & Seresinhe, C. I. (2023). Topological Intelligence in Urban Design.
