Design and study of urban form using shape grammars

Abstract The main goal of this paper is to present shape grammars as an analytical tool to study urban morphology and as a design tool for urban planning. Shape grammars emerged in the 70s through the seminal article by Stiny & Gips, and are used to analyse past design styles (analytical grammars) as well as to create new and original design languages (original grammars). In this paper, the formalization of shape grammar is introduced and the relevance of its use in different contexts is discussed. With this in mind, the paper highlights the extent to which shape grammars can be used as part of a methodology for a flexible urban design that responds to the requirements and needs existing in urban and built environments. The paper also presents a state of the art of shape grammars for urban design and several case studies both concerning analytical studies of urban space and proposals for new urban planning. Currently available and under development digital tools that use shape grammars for urban design are presented at the end of the paper.