Application framework of urban morphology in planning practice: a case study of Beijing

Although it is generally recognized that a connection exists between urban form and urban planning practice, there is still a long way to go before the theories, concepts and methods of urban morphology can be widely applied to daily planning practice. Firstly, the paper makes a theoretical thinking. It is concluded that: 1. Urban form and urban planning practice are dynamic processes of space-time interaction; 2. Urban morphology research and urban planning are the relationship between knowledge and practice;3. Urban morphology research needs to be combined with urban planning business. Secondly, the paper puts forward an application framework of urban morphology in planning practice, including four aspects: knowledge base, analytical dimension, technical support and planning practice. The framework focuses on the space geometry, industrial economy, traffic organization, residential space, urban design, land use and policies in the research of urban morphology under different scales, more closely related to the main focuses in the discipline and practice of urban planning. Thirdly, this paper describes the application of the framework in Beijing planning practice in recent years and illustrates it plays a role and value in the actual planning business.