 It is important to have an overall

image of how the city is formed.

Such image may be based on:
Image of the City  An individual’s understanding of
the basic physical forms usually
found in a city
by Kevin Lynch  Images of the city can be
classified into five different types
of elements

 Paths  Districts
 Channels along w hich the observer mov es  Medium to large sections of a city conceived of as two-dimensional
 Predominant element for many persons’ image  Observer canmentally enter “inside of a district”
 Other elements are arranged and related through paths  Recognizable as having some common, identifying character
 Strong paths are:  Dominance depends upon the individual and the given district
 easily identifiable
 Physical characteristics have a variety of components
 have continuity and direction
 aligned with a larger system  activity and use
 Spatial extremes highlight paths  building types and detail
 inhabitants (ethnic or class)
 Edges  physical characteristics (topography, boundaries, age, etc.)
 Linear elements not used or considered as paths
 Nodes
 Lateral references, not coordinate axes
 Points , strategic spotsby which an observer can enter
 Maybe barriers or seams
 Not as dominant as paths but are important organizing features  Intense foci from which observer is traveling
 Strong edges are:  Junctions and concentrations
 Usually prominent  Directly related to the concept ofpaths and the concept ofdistricts
 Continuous  May be thematic concentrations
 Impenetrable to cross movement
 Edges can be disruptiv e to city form

 Landmarks
 Point references considered to be external to the observer
 Physical elements that may vary widely in scale
 Unique
 And special in place of the continuities used earlier
 Sequential series of landmarks as traveling guides