The effect of multiple urban network structures on retail patterns – A case study in Taipei, Taiwan

During the economic restructuring that has transformed rising Asian cities over the past half-century, retail activities have contributed gradually to urban economic growth. Previous research reveals that retail patterns have been affected not only by zoning regulations but also by urban network structures, which are often conceptualized in an overly simplified manner. As a result, this study proposes a retail spatial integrated model (RSIM) that focuses on the relationship between retail patterns and urban network structures and makes comparisons between the effectiveness of these network structures using a case study in Taipei, Taiwan. In generating the RSIM, this study uses space syntax methodology to analyze multiple network structures, including the street configuration, bus network and metro network. According to the results of this study, the RSIM has a better explanatory capacity than a general model that contains a single network structure. Overall, this study finds that both street configuration and public transportation networks influence retail patterns.

► The RSIM is proposed to examine the effects of multiple urban network structures on retail patterns.
► Three types of urban network structures have different effects on retail patterns.
► Street configuration has the greatest explanatory power in three types of urban network structures.
► Local accessibility measured by space syntax has a greater impact on retail patterns than global accessibility.