Work

An analysis of morphological pattern variations in street networks within and surrounding slums in São Paulo, Brazil

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Slums are characterized by precariousness of infrastructure and land tenure security, and their specific morphological patterns must be understood in order to provide better living conditions to their residents. This study focuses on how street patterns change when the surrounding street grid is taken into account. Using complex network theory, we analyze over 1000 slums in São Paulo. We use a multilayer network model to group favelas that present similar street network patterns inside and around them in terms of size, edge density, orientation entropy, and average circuity. Our key findings reveal that orientation entropy reaches a maximum value for most slums regardless of their sizes, and the relationship between edge density and the number of edges undergoes a shift with increasing buffer around slums. Additionally, favelas with similar orientation entropies and average circuities tend to occupy areas with comparable declivities. Our study may provide insights for public policies aiming to provide more desirable mobility flows or urban integration to slum residents.

Source: Cities

DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2026.107136

Authors: Yuri Perez, Pedro Henrique Triguis Schimit, Fabio Henrique Pereira

Institutions: Universidade de São Paulo, Universidade Nove de Julho

Language: English

Topic: Urban Design and Spatial Analysis

Subfield: Building and Construction

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,000