Uploaded on 2014-10-16 by Paulo_G

[1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/1413424160714632.jpg The photograph was taken from one of Lisbon's suburbs. The aim was to go beyond the images well known from the postcards and touristic routes. It pictures a urban residential area, covering part of Benfica in Lisbon. The picture was taken from the west buildings, that are part of another District (*aguas livres* in *Amadora*). **1. Visible information** 1 - Skyline reveals two major landmarks, Benfica Stadium and Colombo Shopping Mall. In a wider sense locating the area of the photograph west of these two elements, and in the West Limit of Lisbon. 2 - Mostly plain terrain, with subtle South - North inclination (right to left). 3 - Central Low density residential area in the dense urban fabric. 4 - Higher density Residential Area (upper-right). 5 - Regular appropriation of space, with orthogonal ways. 6 - Three distinct tree lines: The first, mid-scale non-deciduous shade trees that define arboreal limits that edges of the neighborhoods. The second, the central -left mass defines a urban park. With mid-size and bigger-size non-deciduous shade trees. And the third, upper-central a large urban park, with dense large scale non-deciduous shade trees in a very inclined terrain (Silva Porto Park). 7 - A large open area, with two football (soccer) fields. 8 - Benfica Market (circular building, behind the closest urban park). A reference market in the Lisbon metropolitan area. Also a Landmark. 9 - Good ground mobility. 10 - Free and easy parking area. 11 - A underground rapid way (IC17 CRIL), with sound barriers (lower part of the Image). Physical barrier (channel) that divides the urban residential area of Benfica, from the urban residential area of aguas livres, *Amadora* (where the photo was taken). 12 - Three defined volumetric scales. The first, central in the image, refers to two-family houses. Small-size volumes, in rows or in clusters. The second, upper-right. Medium/High volumes, in rows. The third, lower image. Mid size volumes, in rows. (polygons to be exact). 13 - Construction type time framed. The two-family houses, are low-buget construction from the fifties. The Higher buildings, in the Upper-right are mid-budget from the late seventies, and the closer mid-size buildings, low-budget construction from the early seventies. **2. Invisible Information** Obtainable objective data 1 - Date and Hour From the Photo metadata: 15/10/2014 10.10. This data alone, gives us some extra information: Tells us that the market is functioning in a regular week day, and with that extra pedestrian movement is taken in the area. A significant increase in car circulation, and probable low-speed and time consuming parking. The date, along with the visible weather information, indicates possible temperature discomfort (in relation to the temperate Portuguese values). 2 - Location, from the Photo metadata: Lat: 38°44'59.39"N Long: 9°12'42.58"W. Again, we are taking data, into useful information and knowledge. Now we have the ability to pinpoint the urban area that the photography refers to. Because of this factor, We can apply other mechanisms of obtaining data and big data. And We can also, perceive at face value that is a coastal region, seismic region, and so on... **Note:** In good truth this first two points, are probably "hacking the question" a bit. Since, the objective is probably commenting on big data and not objective data. Still, the information is part of the image file....and relevant. 3 - Legible urban space (people are able to mind-map the area easly), due to the clear organization and orthogonal channels. 4 - The amount of non-deciduous shade trees, provides shade in warm weather and some shelter from wind and rain during cold weather. Providing an extra level of comfort regarding urban space fruition. 5 - The trees also provide good air quality in the region (good levels of CO2, low monoxide levels), and good scents across the four seasons. 6 - The low and mid size buildings, provide a more natural flow of air (without air corridors, originated by large envelopes). Adding comfort. 7 - The central urban areas in the picture are very attractive as a residential area, they integrate also small traditional commerce. 8 - The Park/Market/ Residence system is very central. This area has a constant flow of people. Doing activities like shopping, commuting, playing, walking the dog doing all Kinds of physical activities. 9 - The tree visible volumetric scales, have economical and social context. The two-family low density residential area has an older, with a mix of active and retired population, with higher incomes. The High-density tall buildings in the right, have a mid-age productive population, with above average incomes. The closer Buildings, already part of Amadora district, have a younger population, with high unemployment rates, serious social problems and very low incomes. This eventually, could be indicative of a possible "happiness rate" of a sort. Also a universe of behavior patterns. 10 - Another example. The amount wifi networks, reflects the residential density. But not the IP numbers, that are greater in high density areas, that combine larger family groups, with above average incomes. (That would be the high-density buildings in the right). Internet usage (e.g. facebook usage, twitter) also changes a great deal in these three situations. Again, we can combine the layers of data and produce relevant output. **3. Improvement strategy** The information regarded the centrality of the area is important (point 8), as is the environment comfort. The perception of the flow of people and their activities, and how they interact with the urban space is interesting because We can quantify more abstract notions related to "happiness" or "successful fruition of space. This could establish a model (or a collections of models) that could be replicated or migrated into another urban upgrading the quality of living.