Why study urban morphology? The views of ISUF members

Abstract

This paper reports on a survey of ISUF members who were requested to provide succinct answers to the question ‘why is urban morphology an important object of study?’ A meaningful response rate was obtained and, using content analysis, seven major themes were identified. The views expressed on these are presented. It is concluded that there are several important and varied justifications for the study of urban morphology but that any unity of the field is derived from the nature of the subject matter itself rather than from the approach taken to its study.