forum S S Open syntaxes forum Preliminary notes on synergetic inter-representation networks (SIRN), information adaptation (IA) and the city

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1 J pen syntaxes forum Preliminary notes on synergetic inter-representation networks (SIRN), information adaptation (IA) and the city Juval Portugali Hermann Haken ESLab (Environmental Simulation Laboratory) Dept. of Geography and the Human Environment Tel Aviv University Institute for Theoretical Physics Center of Synergetics Stuttgart University S S Pages: forum Image: AdHoCities Athanasios Bampanelos The Journal of Space Syntax IN: Year: volume: 6 issue: 1 nline Publication Date: 26 ctober 2015

2 J pen syntaxes forum Preliminary notes on synergetic inter-representation networks (SIRN), information adaptation (IA) and the city Juval Portugali ESLab, Dept. of Geography & the Human Environment Tel Aviv University Hermann Haken Institute for Theoretical Physics, Center of Synergetics Stuttgart University Introduction In several previous studies we have developed the notion of SIRN (synergetic inter-representation networks), while in others the notion of IA (information adaptation) has been explored. So far, we have studied the two notions independently of each other. ur aim here is to make preliminary steps towards their integration, using cities and their dynamics as our illustrative case studies. ur discussion evolves as follows: we first introduce SIRN (section 1) and IA (section 2), then we elaborate on their interrelations (section 3). 1. SIRN (synergetic inter-representation networks) The notion of IRN (inter-representation networks) refers to cognitive processes that evolve as an ongoing sequential interaction between internal representations constructed in the mind, and external representations constructed in the world (Portugali, 1996). There are (at least) two kinds of IRN processes: technical processes such as the multiplication of, say, two four-digit numbers (for example, 6793 x 2857) and creative processes such as painting, sculpturing, developing an idea by means of writing, and so forth. Both processes evolve through the interplay between internal and external representations; however, while the outcome of the former is predetermined and predictable, the latter is not, rather its outcome emerges out of the dynamic interaction between the parts of the system. It is here where Synergetics Haken s (1983) theory of complex, self-organising systems enters and the process becomes SIRN (Haken & Portugali, 1996). In developing SIRN, we have identified three types of processes: intra-personal, inter-personal and collective. The first refers to an SIRN process as evolving by a single person. The second refers to a sequential interaction between several persons, and the third to a collective process in which several persons are acting simultaneously and interact via a collective (emerging) medium, for example, a city. 2. Information adaptation (IA) The notion of SIRN entails several interrelated questions: what are external and internal representations, and how do they interact? ur answer: representations are constructs that enfold and convey information with the implication that they give rise to brain processes by the exchange of information. But then, what constitutes information? In several previous studies, we have investigated two main forms of information and their interrelations (Haken and Portugali, 2015 and further bibliography there): Shannon s information (SHI) that treats information as a quantitative entity with meaning Figure 1: A schematic description of the process of vision: data from the world is first analysed by the mind/ brain, in a bottom-up manner, into local information of lines, corners etc.; this local information triggers a top-down process of synthesis that gives rise to global information; that is, to seeing and recognition. For more details, see Haken and Portugali (2015). 104

3 J pen syntaxes forum: Preliminary notes on SIRN, IA and the city Portugali, J. & Haken, H. Figure 2: Left: The Kaniza triangle illusion. Right: The lympic rings illusion. Notes: 1 So far we have studied IA as a single act: given an information source, how does the mind/brain adapt this to its information processing capabilities and instruments, and memorised information. exorcised, and semantic information (SI) referring to information with meaning. The notion of pragmatic information (PI) that refers to a meaningful action is a special case of SI. We have further demonstrated (ibid.) that SHI and SI are two aspects of a process of information adaptation (IA). ur illustrative example for IA is the process of vision as shown schematically in Figure 1. In vision, adaptation is implemented by the inflation and/ or deflation of SHI. In some IA cases, the mind/ brain adds data that does not exist in the row data/ information (Figure 2, left); while in other cases, the brain implements adaptation by the exact opposite by ignoring data/information that exists in the raw information (Figure 2, right). Examining SIRN from the perspective of IA, we suggest, firstly, that representations are constructs that enfold and convey SHI and SI (when the latter might often take the form of PI). Secondly, that SIRN interaction between external and internal representations is an IA process that creates and recreates the representations. In the case of internal representation, the information extracted (that comes) from the external representation is adapted to the SHI processing capabilities of, and the knowledge stored/generated by, the mind/brain (SI); while in the case of external representation, the information conveyed by (that comes from) the internal representation (mind/brain) is adapted to the specific properties of the externally represented medium (utterance, text, different forms of paintings such as aquarelles, oil, sculpturing, dance, and the like). 3. SIRN/IA and the city The conjunction between SIRN and IA adds a new dimension to IA - namely, that in several cases IA is implemented by an interplay between internal and external representations. 1 The result is a double play : between internal and external representations and in each such interactive move, between SHI and SI. In what follows, we illustrate this conjunction in the domain of cities Design as an intra-personal SIRN/IA process Design by means of sketching (Goldschmidt, 1991; Tversky and Suwa, 2009) is a common practice 105

4 The Journal of Space Syntax J Volume 6 Issue 1 Figure 3 (left): Sequence of sketches from Calatrava s notebook (Tzonis, 2004). Figure 4 (right): A building in Tel Aviv with some open balconies (right side) and some closed (left side). amongst designers and urban designers a process Schön (1983) has likened to a conversation. For example, in Figure 3, the architect Santiago Calatrava started probably with a given idea internally constructed and represented in his mind, and externalised this information by drawing it on paper as a sketch, the specific form of which being determined by adapting the original internal idea/information to the properties of the medium (aquarelle on a paper). As can be seen, the sketches can be interpreted in several ways, which in terms of IA implies several meanings (SI) and high SHI (uncertainty). As a consequence, when internalised again, this induces new ideas, possibilities and so forth, in an interplay between internal and external representations. In the case of design, the purpose of the process is to deflate SHI and reach a single SI, which implies the resultant final design and/or plan Urban design as a hybrid intra-personal and inter-personal SIRN/IA process While sketching on paper is still used in design, computer graphics are currently replacing this method. In the domain of urban design, current computerised urban simulation models such as CA, AB, network analyses and Hillier s space syntax, add a new possibility to the SIRN/IA process: they enable the designer to see on the screen how the city as a whole might respond to a given design act. The result is a hybrid intra-personal SIRN/IA process involving two external representations: one in which the computer screen functions as a drawing board, informing the designer about the way his or her design idea looks; and another that represents the outcome of the simulation model, showing how the city as a whole might change as a consequence of a given design idea (Portugali and Stolk, 2014). 106

5 J pen syntaxes forum: Preliminary notes on SIRN, IA and the city Portugali, J. & Haken, H. Figure 5: A city game with the rule that: each building must be connected to the city s road network. That is, a player can locate a new building either along an existing road, or must add an access road to the new building. About the authors: Juval Portugali (juval@post.tau.ac.il) is Professor of Human Geography at the Department of Geography and Human Environment Tel Aviv University. He is the Head of the Environmental Simulation Laboratory (ESLab) and of the Environment, Society and Planning Graduate Program of Tel Aviv University. His research integrates complexity and self-organization theories, environmental-spatial cognition, urban dynamics and planning in modern and ancient periods. His publications include Implicate Relations: Society and space in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (1993), The Construction of Cognitive Maps (1996) (ed.), Self-rganization and the city, (2000), Complex Artificial Environments (2005) (ed.), Complexity, Cognition and the City, Springer, Complexity Series Complexity Theories of Cities Have Come of Age, Springer, Complexity Series 2012 (Ed.). Hermann Haken (cos@itp1.uni-stuttgart.de) is Professor Emeritus of Theoretical Physics at the University of Stuttgart. He is the founder of Synergetics, an interdisciplinary field of research which deals with complex systems that are composed of many individual parts (components, elements) that interact with each other and are able to produce spatial, temporal or functional structures by selforganization. Haken is editor of the Springer Series in Synergetics The urban landscape of Tel Aviv as an interpersonal SIRN/IA process An example of the inter-personal SIRN/IA process is the butterfly effect of Tel Aviv balconies (Portugali, 2011, Sect ). In line with its planning laws, the vast majority of Tel Aviv s residential buildings were built with open balconies (Figure 4). Informationwise, such planning laws imply a single possibility or zero SHI. Back in the 1950s, an anonymous resident of Tel Aviv envisioned one more possibility: to close the balcony and thus add half a room to his or her little apartment. Information-wise, this left two possibilities (SHI=1). This externally represented solution attracted the imagination of other inhabitants and before long, an inter-personal sequential and selforganised SIRN/IA design process commenced that has transformed the face of the city of Tel Aviv (and all other cities of Israel), from one typified by open balconies to one typified by closed balconies. The above is a very illustrative example of the mechanism of self-organisation taking place in many complex systems as unearthed by Haken s (ibid.) Synergetics. Such changes of a macroscopic state are based on a three-step process: 1. Instability (here: general desire to enlarge one s flat). 2. Fluctuations or chance events (here: spontaneous initiative by an individual). 3. New state due to amplification (here: spread of a new idea and its realisation by all) The city game as an inter-personal with a common reservoir SIRN/IA process The city game has been devised (Portugali, 1996) by means of the group dynamics of approximately 50 players, with the aim of building a toy city on a floor that represents the site for a new city. Each player is given a 1:100 mock-up of a building, and on his or her turn is asked to place it in the toy city on the floor, in what she or he considers to be the best location for that building. The players observe the toy city as it develops, and in the process also learn the spontaneously emerging order on the ground. It is typical in such games that, after a few initial iterations, an observable urban order (parameter) emerges. The participants internalise this emerging order and tend to locate their buildings in line with it (slaving). In most city games conducted so far, the only rule of the game has been that when placing their buildings, the participants have not been allowed to block other buildings entrances. In Figure 5 we added another rule: each building must be connected to the city s road network. The city games exhibit the main properties of SIRN/IA: a sequential interplay between internal and external representations, emerging urban order and the various properties of the process of self-organisation as conceptualised by synergetics. However, this has led to the addition of a new property, namely, that here the city as a whole functions as the medium of information exchange for the SIRN/IA process. 107

6 The Journal of Space Syntax J Volume 6 Issue 1 References Goldschmidt, G. (1991), The dialectics of sketching. In: Creativity Research Journal, Vol. 4, p Haken, H. (1983), Synergetics: An Introduction: Nonequilibrium Phase Transitions and Self rganization in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, Berlin: Springer. Haken, H. and Portugali, J. (1996), Synergetics, interrepresentation networks and cognitive maps. In: Portugali, J (ed.), The Construction of Cognitive Maps, Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic, p Haken, H. and Portugali, J. (2015), Information Adaptation: The interplay between Shannonian and semantic information in cognition, SpringerBriefs series Berlin: Springer. Portugali, J. (1996), Inter-representation networks and cognitive maps. In: Portugali, J (ed.), The Construction of Cognitive Maps, Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic, p Portugali, J. (2011), Complexity, Cognition and the City, Berlin: Springer. Portugali, J. and Stolk, E. (2014), A SIRN view on design thinking an urban design Perspective. In: Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design 2014, Vol. 41, p Schön, D. A. (1983), The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think in Action, New York: Basic Books. Tversky, B. and Suwa, M. (2009), Thinking with sketches. In: Markman, A. (ed.), Tools for Innovation, xford: xford University Press, p Tzonis, A. (2004), Santiago Calatrava: The Complete Works, New York: Rizzoli. 108