Integration of urban morphology in contemporary planning

Approaches, Challenges, and Potentialities

Abstract

This study investigates the integration between urban morphology and urban planning, aiming to analyze the challenges and potentialities of this approach, while identifying possible directions for future research. The relevance of the topic is justified by the need to enhance the theoretical and methodological tools of urban planning in response to the complexities and uncertainties of contemporary cities. Through a qualitative methodology that includes a literature review and case study analysis, the article explores different approaches to urban morphology and their practical applications, illustrated by case studies from Porto, Brasília, and São Paulo. The theoretical framework is based on the concepts and methods of urban morphology, as well as urban planning theories and practices, with a focus on more recent approaches, such as collaborative planning and sustainable urban design. The results highlight the significance of urban morphology for urban planning by providing insights for analyzing and intervening in urban form, as demonstrated by the case studies. However, it still faces significant challenges, such as translating analytical knowledge into practical solutions and incorporating social and political dimensions. Finally, the study points out the potentialities of integrating urban morphology and urban planning, such as the possibility of creating more contextualized, participatory, and sustainable planning, and suggests directions for future research, including the development of more accessible methods and tools, as well as investigating the impacts of new technologies and modes of urban space production on the morphology of contemporary cities.