In pursuit of Whitehand’s neighbour effect: uncovering the hidden principles of plot configuration and urban morphogenesis

Abstract

The prevailing understanding of how plots affect change and persistence is primarily derived from a few influential historical-qualitative studies. While the relations between urban form elements have been long emphasised in these studies, empirical research on plots and change relationship has predominantly utilized geometric variables describing individual qualities of plots, namely size and shape. The overlooked neighbour effect hypothesis, proposed by J.W.R. Whitehand, made the relationship between plots more explicit, and attributed their influence on change to the relational character of neighbouring properties. Recent quantitative urban form studies have introduced access-based and configurational plot variables that can be operationalised to better understand the relationship between plot patterns and urban form change. This paper investigates the relationship between plot configuration and patterns of building replacement in Midtown Manhattan from 1890 to 2021 by using a longitudinal morphological database. Employing a quantitative analysis framework, the study compares the performance of geometric and configurational plot measures in explaining building replacement patterns. The findings provide strong empirical support for Whitehand’s neighbour effect hypothesis, suggesting that the propensity for change or persistence is generated by the degree of mutual support and interaction between neighbouring plots rather than their individual character. The study contributes to shifting the focus from plots to plot patterns as a basis for understanding urban form evolution.