CORRELATION BETWEEN SPATIAL CONFIGURATION AND POTENTIAL HUMAN BEHAVIOUR IN A VERNACULAR FABRIC UNDERGOING CONSERVATION WORK. CASE OF KENADSA KSAR IN ALGERIA

This paper examines the configurational properties of traditional urban system undergoing conservation work through a space syntax approach that considers the correlation between spatial arrangement and social behaviour based on the quantification of topological relationships between spaces. Two analysis techniques adopted: the axial map and the VGA to understand potential behaviour in terms of visibility and movement. By analyzing the state before and after works, the spatial system is defined in an objective and quantifiable way through measurable indicators simulated and calculated through DepthmapX software. The results reveal the syntactic properties of tissue and the significant impact of works on them with an increase in intelligibility values of 37.36%, interface degree of 6%, visual connectivity of 37,36% and global integration of 12.21%. The topological logic remains followed in this system where it is better integrated in the restricted measures (R3). The local synergy effect determines the interface degree between two movement patterns in which a cognitive schema facilitates the navigation of local inhabitants. The fabric does not favour a through-movement potential and only the main axes are more open to foreigners. The visual system offers limited visibility fields that make the Ksar difficultly accessible in the segregated and deeper paths.