The epistemology of urban morphology

Abstract

A very broad conceptual diagram of the epistemology of the field of urban morphology is provided as a first step to illustrating the potential connections between different schools of thought. A study of the methods of generating knowledge in this field shows that there are many conceptual and methodological practices that are shared. This shared epistemology can become a basis for comparing the kinds of theories and knowledge generated by different schools of thought. The methods used, the bases for judging their validity, and the scope of enquiries are considered. A systematic definition of the elements that morphologists use for their interpretations is proposed.