Akkelies van Nes

Professor Akkelies van Nes is a leading Space Syntax expert at the Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Business, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL). She has chaired multiple International Space Syntax Symposia, including the 5th (2005) and 13th (2022) editions, and organized the first international online Space Syntax PhD Congress (2021).

• Key Affiliation: Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
• Research Leadership: Chair of Space Syntax symposia
• Consultancy: Bergen Municipality's densification strategies

Her research focuses on spatial analysis tools for understanding the relationship between urban form and socio-economic/energy dynamics. She applies Space Syntax across disciplines like

• Urban Geography
• Criminology
• Real Estate Development
• Strategic Planning

and has led EU-funded projects including RUFUS (2008-2012), NODES (2012-2016), and SPACERGY (2016-2019).

The article trends demonstrate her expertise in spatial analysis of urban environments, with recurring themes like

• Walkability and cycling infrastructure
• Urban crime patterns
• Historic urban morphology
• Transport energy efficiency
• Public space accessibility
• Densification strategies

Her work spans theoretical development (e.g., modal logics in urban theory) to practical applications in cities like Bergen, Delft, Rome, and Istanbul.

Current teaching activities include

• New textbook: Space Syntax in Urban Studies (Springer, 2020)
• Course leadership: Urban Transformation (BYG130), Theory and Methods of Science (MOA256), Urban Planning (MOA272), and MSc Thesis (MOA300)

She has contributed to urban regeneration projects through spatial analysis tools and served as a reviewer for academic journals.

Key research groups include

• Spatial Planning and Urban Studies
• Space Syntax in Norway

Her consultancy work focuses on applying Space Syntax to Bergen's urban densification challenges, as documented in open-access publications.