A Review of Space Syntax Contextual Relevance for Cognitive Experience of Heritage Sites

Abstract

Historic sites and places are vital settings for fostering sensitive understanding and acknowledging the existing cultural knowledge among people. However, understanding the spatial configuration and the correlations among heritage spaces can promote cognitive-based experiences. Space syntax is a well-known theory and research technique that examines how spatial analysis affects social characteristics. Even with its substantial contributions, some domains remain under investigated. This review paper will evaluate the inductive analysis of the effectiveness of space syntax in enhancing behavioural and cognitive experiences in and around heritage sites. The purpose of this study is to identify existing knowledge in space syntax, with a primary focus on the cognitive experiences of heritage sites. The study used the VOSviewer tool and the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) framework to systematically review a selection of papers from a Scopus database literature search, after screening 694 pertinent articles. Twenty-three publications were chosen for a thorough examination of existing knowledge after the inclusion criteria were used. This assessment of the literature took a fresh tack by combining and evaluating the varied existing applications and predictions of space syntax in planning and conservation. The discussions suggest a wide range of research contributions and directions for a comprehensive overview of cognitive analysis. In conclusion, exploring the interplay and integration of space syntax is robust enough to capture the cognitive experience of heritage sites. The study underscores the significance of space syntax, which sets the foundations for conceptual and methodological research frameworks to create sensitive environments in and around heritage sites.