Sestieri of Venice

TL;DR

This paper applies random walk-based space syntax analysis to Venice's canal network, revealing a statistical Euclidean space that aligns with traditional city divisions, offering new insights into urban structure.

Contribution

It introduces a novel application of random walks to analyze Venice's urban layout, linking network properties to traditional sestieri divisions.

Findings

Partitioned Venice's canal network into divisions matching traditional sestieri.

Established a Euclidean space interpretation of the city's network.

Provided a statistical framework for urban analysis using random walks.

Abstract

We have investigated space syntax of Venice by means of random walks. Random walks being defined on an undirected graph establish the Euclidean space in which distances and angles between nodes acquire the clear statistical interpretation. The properties of nodes with respect to random walks allow partitioning the city canal network into disjoint divisions which may be identified with the traditional divisions of the city (sestieri).