Towards the science of living structure: making and remaking livable cities as part of urban informatics

Abstract This paper investigates the concept of living structure – which is defined as a structural hierarchy that has a recurring pattern of an abundance of small substructures compared to larger ones – and the application of such structures in creating livable cities within urban informatics. By integrating practical, scientific, and artistic innovations, living structures provide a theoretical framework for designing healing environments and understanding urban complexity. We conceptualize spaces through hierarchical transformations, calculating livingness ( L ) as L = S × H , where S is the number of substructures and H is the inherent hierarchy of those substructures. Living structure is governed by the scaling law and Tobler’s law, and guided by differentiation and adaptation principles, and it fosters vibrant and engaging spaces that enhance human well-being and a sense of place. Urban informatics, urban planning, and architecture must evolve beyond just understanding and prediction to include purposeful design. This new kind of science integrates the theory of living structure and emphasizes creation and design, thus transforming those disciplines. This paper looks at environments that have high structural beauty, as defined by the 15 properties that Christopher Alexander proposed, and discusses the application of those properties in architecture, urban informatics, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, with the aim of making built environments more vibrant and conducive to human well-being.