Comparative precedents on the study of urban morphology

The theories and practices of urban morphology have been widely discussed across disciplines. It is difficult to categorise the research of urban morphology across these many fields. Scholars express their understanding in different ways and from various perspectives. This paper attempts to synthesize comparative morphological precedents in the context of geography, architecture, science and philosophy. Examples are carefully selected to interpret achievement in particular fields. Conzen¿s and Caniggia¿s works are extensively recognised as the Conzenial and Caniggian traditions in aspects of geography and architecture. However, the most recent and successful `Microsoft¿ of urban morphology, space syntax, has an approach to urban form that is different to any previous tradition. Through comparison of those emerged conceptions, this paper will reveal the emphases placed on morphology in different research areas. It is argued that these theories and methods are not exclusive and independent but essentially related which could be complementary for each other. Their mutual interplay on the future morphological analysis is expected.