Tiered Modelling - A Solution to Hyper-Coherent Morphological Models?

Abstract

Morphological models that comprise few constraints between parameter values are considered hyper-coherent. A high degree of coherence in a model can be a problem if it results in a large and unwieldy solution space. This paper explores a possible methodological approach to solve the problem of coherence in morphological models. The case in point is a study of Human Built Operational Environments – sometimes called megacities. Instead of analyzing the total morphological field in one comprehensive process, the analysis was split into two tiers. In the first tier the morphological field was broken down into three distinct analytical bins, and analyzed separately. In the second tier the analytic products were integrated into an aggregate morphological field that was highly constrained, thus producing a smaller and more orderly solution space.