WEIGHTED MATRIX INDEX: A TOOL TO DECODE THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF SOCIO-CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS, URBAN CONTEXT AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT

The ever-changing nature of our urban fabric reflects the complex cultural and socio – economic environment we live in. Globalization has brought with it a shift in the way we view our cities, from traditional urban forms that consider the wisdom and skills of our ancestors to analytical diagrams largely used to facilitate urban development. While this has resulted in a more efficient and convenient urban environment, it has also led to an insensitive and unresponsive urban fabric. Fortunately, there are examples of urban forms that have managed to preserve their significance over a long period of time, while still being adapted to the changing cultural and socio – economic contexts. These examples prove that it is possible to create places that are both timeless and responsive to the needs of the present and serve as inspirations for cities of the future. The purpose of this research study is to examine the role of design in shaping the continuity and change of urban fabric. Specifically, this paper investigates the relationship between contextual factors and design decisions that contribute to the evolution of the built environment in urban areas set in unique contexts. Within this framework, this paper aims to intricately compare and contrast Rome and Bhutan as distinctive urban environments, each situated within its own unique settings. This research study has used an approach that combines analysis of development processes, observation notes, documentary reports, published literature, and studies of case examples to investigate the relationship between design decisions and the continual change in the urban fabric. This factor, in particular underpins the relationship between the built environment and socio-cultural expressions that inform contextually appropriate design. A tool (weighted index matrix) for deciphering the interconnectedness between socio-cultural expressions, urban settings, and built environments was developed as a result of the research study. Further, the matrix index has been applied for the two select case examples and the results have been evaluated and analyzed.