The pressing challenge of mitigating climate change demands precise measurements of urban emissions. Traffic, a significant contributor, necessitates accurate quantification for effective reduction. However, cities globally struggle due to the complex spatial and temporal emission variations. This study introduces a novel approach employing computer vision to map vehicle emissions at the make and model level on urban road networks. Our methodology utilizes a unique car model classification dataset, DRIVE, comprising 2.2 million images, enabling the classification of 4,923 car models. In addition, we associate each model with its emission standard using the COPERT model. We enhance speed estimation and emission accuracy by leveraging vehicle tracking and distance measurement from video footage. The application of our method in Amsterdam demonstrates the potential for real-time traffic flow detection and emission estimation worldwide. Our findings contribute to addressing emissions measurement challenges in dense urban areas.

Space Syntax, developed by Hillier and his colleagues, and Urban Morphology, developed by Muratori, Whitehand, Conzen and the School of Versailles are significant contributions for generating general understandings or theory building on built environments. In this contribution Roy Bhaskar's critical realistic model of science and Georg Henrik von Wright's account of explanation and understanding are used to assess the explanatory power of Space Syntax and Urban Morphology research. In essence subsequent considerations will distinguish between a theory able to offer an explanation of phenomena and a theory proposing an understanding thereof. As concluded, Space Syntax can offer an explanation of changes in a built environment in terms of cause and effect, while Urban Morphology aims at an understanding of the meaning associated with the causes at issue. The first perspective concerns built form and function, while the latter one concerns built form and meaning. Examples from cases where both research methods are applied will be used and discussed throughout the paper. Likewise, discussions on challenges for urban design practice will be discussed based on these two research traditions.