Purpose: This study reviews research applying Space Syntax, in conjunction with other methodologies, to explore walkability and socio-spatial relations in urban environments, with a particular emphasis on moderate- and low-density city centers.Design/methodology/approach: A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, reviewing English-language studies published from 2013 to 2023, involving introduction to research context, information sources and search strategy, screening process and application of eligibility and inclusion criteria to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of relevant papers.Findings: This research highlights that the predominant focus in the literature has been on high-density city centers in existing Space Syntax studies, revealing a significant gap in understanding socio-spatial dynamics, particularly in moderate- and low-density city centers. Furthermore, this research found that technology-based tools were the most frequently used in past studies, with 454 instances, compared to participatory tools (191 instances) and observational tools (57 instances), when using Space Syntax as an integrated approach to explore socio-spatial relations in urban environments. Moreover, emerging technology-based tools remain the least used technological tools in the literature. Combining these approaches represents a recent trend that could offer valuable insights into pedestrian socio-spatial experiences in both broader urban contexts and smaller-scale city centers.Originality/value: Unlike previous literature reviews on Space Syntax that neglected its use as an integrated approach, this study uniquely explores the correlation between spatial configurations and human experiences through a review of studies that combine space syntax with other methods, including observational, participatory and technology-based tools to pinpoint the gaps. The research recommends further exploration of pedestrians’ socio-spatial needs by integrating Space Syntax with trends and less-explored technology-based tools.

Nowadays, historical neighborhoods in Iran are in a state of decay due to the lack of spatial legibility with respect to their organic spatial layout. Hence, the level of interaction among people and their perception of the environment has gradually diminished. Historical neighborhoods no longer possess their former prosperity and function, and citizens prefer to inhabit neighborhoods with newer configurations to meet their demands. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the spatial legibility of historical neighborhoods in creating a suitable cognitive map for citizens. Quantitative and qualitative methods were applied using a questionnaire and simulation test instruments. In addition, in order to analyze the spatial configuration of the target areas, the Space Syntax method was implemented using Depthmap 10. The findings indicated that landmarks and navigation signs were identified as the most important factors affecting legibility from the viewpoint of users. Furthermore, the correlation between integration and connectivity illustrated that the studied areas possessed poor spatial legibility due to the organic texture of their spatial configurations. Accordingly, solutions such as enhancing the interaction between highly integrated streets and identified landmarks were emphasized to ameliorate the legibility of these spaces. The present study contributes to sustainable urban design with respect to the rejuvenation of historical districts by proposing a set of pragmatic alterations of urban spatial configurations. This research may be fruitful for urban designers, planners and managers seeking to revitalize historical neighborhoods.

The climatically compatible design is one of the closest ways getting the optimum use of renewable sources of energy since consideration to climatic conditions is the main concern in sustainability. Occupants suffer from this uncomfortable situation due to the overheating indoor high temperature. This region is located north of Iran, is influenced by humid climate conditions. Adaptation to climate condition in the vernacular architecture of west of Guilan is the main reason of using all these solutions to use the environmental potential for providing comfort for its occupants, which are the main purposes of sustainable development. The research question is how the Guilan's historical architecture has been able to answer the weather conditions. In this research was performed by analysing appropriate climatic solutions in the vernacular architecture of west of Guilan. The methodology based on a Qualitative–interpretative approach was applied. Their location, formation and different functions are investigated. According to this issue, porches and balconies provide best solutions for weather balance conditions in summer and winter and climate comfort.

Background: This systematic review investigates the role of virtual reality (VR)-based multisensory cognitive training in cognitive function, executive function and wayfinding ability among people diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: The review was carried out using PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar were searched up from inception to February 2025 using terms related to MCI, AD, VR, and cognitive functions. Studies were included if they involved participants with MCI or early AD, used VR-based training, collected baseline data, and reported cognitive outcomes. Results: Nine studies with MCI were included, but no eligible studies focused on AD. Seven out of nine eligible studies in MCI reported significant improvements in global cognitive function (MoCA, CERAD-K, MMSE). Some studies showed improvements in executive function (EXIT-25, TMT-A/B, and SCWT), while others found no significant differences. One study reported improved depression/mental status (GDS, MOSES, QoL-AD). Just one study reported improvement in functional ability (IADL). One study reported enhanced cognition and reduced discomfort (SSQ). VR programs were generally well-tolerated, with no significant adverse events reported. Conclusions: VR shows promise for improving cognitive function in MCI. VR also showed potential benefits in executive function and psychological outcomes like depression and quality of life, though consistency varied.

This study examines pedestrian perceptions of streetscapes in Isfahan’s cultural heritage site by integrating deep learning–based image segmentation with urban morphological analysis. It addresses the opportunity to develop a scalable and context-sensitive method for assessing pedestrian-oriented heritage streetscapes, particularly where conventional street-view datasets are unavailable. Using a U-Net model applied to First-Person Pedestrian View (FPPV) images, five perceptual indices, imageability, enclosure, human scale, greenness, and walking index, were quantified to examine their associations with pedestrian experience. Street width was incorporated as a morphological variable to explore its relationship with perceptual qualities using Spearman correlation and visual trend analysis. The results indicate exploratory associations between visual composition and perceptual outcomes within the analysed heritage streetscape context, particularly between imageability, enclosure, and vegetation structure. In contrast, variables such as human scale and walking index showed weak or negligible associations with street width, indicating that pedestrian activity patterns within the analysed heritage streetscape may be influenced by additional spatial, landscape, and socio-functional factors beyond dimensional characteristics alone. Segmentation-based analysis achieved an accuracy of 83% in classifying dominant streetscape elements, offering a reproducible alternative to traditional survey-based methods. This study contributes a data-driven framework for assessing pedestrian streetscapes, emphasising morphological continuity, human-scale design, and green infrastructure as important dimensions of walkability assessment. It also identifies key challenges, including fragmented spatial morphology and inconsistent urban furniture placement, which may affect pedestrian comfort and use of space. These findings offer evidence-informed design considerations for historic streetscape assessment, with implications for balancing heritage conservation and contemporary pedestrian needs. Future research may refine perceptual metrics, incorporate behavioural or longitudinal validation, and extend the approach across diverse urban contexts.

This study examines pedestrian perceptions of streetscapes in Isfahan’s cultural heritage site by integrating deep learning–based image segmentation with urban morphological analysis. Using a U-Net model applied to First-Person Pedestrian View (FPPV) images, five perceptual indices (imageability, enclosure, human scale, greenness, and walking index) were quantified to assess their influence on pedestrian experience. Street width was explicitly incorporated as a morphological variable to examine its relationship with perceptual qualities using spearman correlation analysis and visual trend analysis using Pearson correlation. The results reveal consistent relationships between visual composition and perceptual outcomes, particularly strong associations between imageability, enclosure, and vegetation structure, as well as trade-offs between enclosure and sky visibility. In contrast, variables such as human scale and walking index show weak or negligible associations with street width, suggesting that pedestrian presence and activity patterns in heritage contexts are more strongly influenced by landscape elements, water features, and spatial continuity than by dimensional factors alone. Findings highlight how urban renewal strategies, such as streetscape enhancement and cultural preservation, shape pedestrian movement and spatial perception. Segmentation-based analysis achieved an accuracy of 83% in classifying dominant streetscape elements, offering a robust alternative to traditional survey-based methods. This study contributes a data-driven framework for assessing pedestrian streetscapes, emphasizing morphological continuity, human-scale design, and green infrastructure as critical determinants of walkability. It also identifies key challenges, including fragmented spatial morphology and inconsistent urban furniture placement, which affect pedestrian comfort and use of space. These findings support evidence-based policy and design strategies for optimizing historic urban streetscapes, with implications for balancing heritage conservation and modern pedestrian needs. Future research may refine perceptual metrics and extend the approach across diverse urban contexts.