Talk:Spatial network

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The Wikipidea entries for space syntax are extremely odd: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spatial_network

This is highly biased and needs correction. Spatial networks include transportation networks (roads, airline links, rail, etc.), drainage networks, river networks, land parcels, and even the network of internet routers -not just "urban or building space".

See, e.g. the Wikipidea entry for geostatistics which mentions spatial networks: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geostatistics

And there is no proved relationship between the "social usage of space" (whatever that may be) and these networks.

The same is true for the entry on 'spatial network analysis software' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spatial_network_analysis_software

Spatial analysis is a broader field than space syntax. It is nonsense to claim otherwise. No one is asking space syntax to remove their Wikipidea entries, BUT it's about time for people to realize that these claims are getting too odd.

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It strikes me that the two are talking about different things: the Wikipedia article seems to define "spatial networks" as networks of "spatial elements", whilst the Boccaletti et al paper appears to define "spatial networks" as being those which are spatially-located.

I think, like you, I would tend to assume the latter rather than the former if someone said "spatial network" to me. However, I can also understand the Wikipedia definition: as "social networks" are networks of people, "spatial networks" might be networks of spaces.

I suppose the thing to do is to edit the Wikipedia article!

If youre interested you should check the article Geospatial topology; its just in the beginning stages, but i plan on adding extensive GIS related information. Im sure I could use your help. Also see Geostatistics, as this is related to the study of spatial networks within GIS.SCmurky 06:56, 20 July 2006 (UTC)

--- Largely this article appears to reflect the edits of the Space Syntax community. While their method of analysis is interesting, it also has some very specific and disputed ideas about what defines space, social interaction, network, and so on. I strongly urge editing!