Figure 2: Different urbanism perspective source: https://www.slideshare.net/rajapukai/image-of-the-city-kevin-lynch-case-study
Lynch found out that people use of five elements to construct their mental image of a city (Lange, 2009). These elements include:
Figure 3: Five elements by Lynch Source: https://www.slideshare.net/rajapukai/image-of-the-city-kevin-lynch-case-study
These five elements give unique features and harmony to the city and influence how pedestrians experience the city, however, paths are especially important since they organize urban mobility. With the ultimate goal to alter the perspective of modern urban life and transform it into a revolutionary potential Guy Debord introduced derive in 1956 (Lynch, 1960).
Derive is a technique used to study architecture and the urban environment. It involves a pedestrian “drifter” passing through varied surroundings with an aim of acquiring useful information about the environment (Lange, 2009). This information contributes in the visual and verbal representation of all these traces that form our cities (Lange, 2009).
The context of it involves the following steps:
- Observation—recording;
- Data analysis;
- Evaluation;
- Conclusions/outcome(s)/mapping.
Cities are complex and consist of many interlinked environments. Each of these environments affects us differently. It could either attract or repel us depending on the feeling it evokes in us (Lynch & Rodwin, 1958). In order for people within a city to get a sense of emotional security and harmony, it is important that a pedestrian get a clear mental map of the urban environment for them to acquire confidence to move around a city (Lynch, 1981). A clear mental image provides the framework for communication and conceptual organisation to easily recognise and link urban parts.
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Figure 4: Kevin-lynch-on-perceptible-objects-and-urban-design Source: https://writingcities.com/2016/11/02/kevin-lynch-on-perceptible-objects-and-urban-design/
Conclusion:
Cities should be designed to give the three related ‘movements’: mapping, learning, shaping. These allow pedestrians to from a mental image and map. This then enables them navigate their environment by training. People should also be able to manage and carry out their activities, make their own stories and create new activities.
References:
Lange, M. d., 2009. review: Kevin Lynch – The Image of the City. [Online]
Available at: https://themobilecity.nl/2009/05/08/review-kevin-lynch-the-image-of-the-city/
[Accessed 31 October 2018].
Lynch, K., 1960. The Image of the City. illustrated, reprint ed. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press.
Lynch, K., 1981. A Theory of a Good City. Hosein Bahraini, Tehran, Tehran University Publication.
Lynch, K. and Rodwin, L., 1958. A theory of urban form. Journal of the American institute of planners, 24(4), pp.201-214.
