• The value of slope and aspect mapping in the
interpretation of urban dynamics and culturally driven use of urban space has been amply
demonstrated, and has laid the foundation for further research in this new area of
research.
• Details of the criteria for Urban zoning have been
detected: in the north sector of the city, larger and more regular urban blocks separated
by streets were seen whereas, towards the south-east, smaller agglutinative blocks
perpendicular to the natural slopes were observed and, to the south west, irregular blocks
with somewhat irregular streets are apparent. These differences may be related to
identifiable concerns of the city planner, including proximity to water, shelter from
prevailing winds and relationships to the urban communications network. The next stage
will be to see if the differences in the architectural units within these blocks reinforce
these results (as superficial observation would suggest). What is new and important here
is the ability offered by GIS to quantify these differences and, perhaps, to create
predictive models that can be tested by carefully targeted research of differing types.
• Surprising new evidence for the extent and complexity of water
management has been revealed through the discovery of extensive evidence for channels and
reservoirs. Interpretation, to be tested by excavation, suggests that there were
detectable changes to the urban dynamics throughout the short life of the city, and that
these changes or developments may have been strongly influenced by increasing levels of
water management. Here might be seen a reflection of strong centralised administration and
pressure on urban space (perhaps as a result of growing or changing urban population).
• Study of the network of urban communications yielded surprises. Many
streets and alleys seem to become blocked off, isolating zones of large (?elite) urban
blocks from direct access to city gates. There are also concomitant changes in the use of
urban space and perhaps in the defensive nature of the original urban plan. GIS study
holds the potential for elaboration and quantification of these initial observations.
• It is evident that even the steepest slopes within the city were
utilised, although erosion and underlying geology obscure the details. This pilot study
has demonstrated the potential to create predictive models through the application of GIS
research tools.
