THE CITY IMAGE AND ITS

ELEMENTS

AFROZ ANJUM M B
2BL16AT001
• In this Lynch explains each individual picture is unique, though
together approximates public image of the city.
• The analysis what he has done is limited to physical and perceptual
objects, ‘there are other influences on imageability such as social
meaning of an area, its function and history’.
• He has described five types of referable elements that can help in
convenient movement
• PATHS
• EDGES
• NODES
• DISTRICTS
• LANDMARKS
• PATHS :
Lynch says paths are the channels along which an observer customarily,
occasionally or potentially moves, they can be considered as
predominant elements in the city.
• EDGES :
Edges are linear elements but not considered as paths, they ae the
boundaries between two phases.
• DISTRICTS :
These are the two dimensional extends in the city which can be
entered, for some paths and districts ae the dominant elements.
• NODES :
Nodes are the intensive foci to the route an observer is travelling or
they may be simply concentrations (primary junctions). Since junctions
are typically the convergence of paths, the are called cores. They are
also the intensive foci of districts.
• LANDMARKS :
Landmarks are the point reference for an observer, they are external.
There are radial elements which can be seen from anywhere in the city
and there are primarily local elements that are restricted to localities.
 PATHS
• For most of the people Lynch interviewed paths are the predominant
elements of the city. He compares cities…
• BOSTON :
People who knew the city least tended to think about the city in term
of topography, generalized characteristics. But the people who knew
the city best relied on landmarks.
• Lynch says the path of the city should be such that they should be
worth describing, an example when he interviewed a lady about the
Jersey city
• She said she enjoys as she walked across the Hudson river and the
site of statue of Liberty and looked up to the Empire States Building as
she walked in the lower Manhattan to the Holland Tunnel.
• LOS ANGELES paths are systematic yet sometimes difficult to
understand which way to take to reach the destination as there are
some signs missing ,
• Lynch says paths should be
IDENTIFIABLE
CONTINUOUS
Should have DIRECTIONAL QULITY
Should be easily SCALED
 EDGES
• Edges act as lateral references.
• Example to this is the Charles river in the Boston city, Lynch tries to
connect the paths with the edges.
• When interviewed the Beacon hill and Beacon street seemed for most
of the people to have a firm connection.
• ‘Continuity and visibility are crucial, strong edges are not necessarily
penetrable.’
• Beacon street the visible boundary of Beacon hill acts as a barrier but
seems like two clear areas are connected.
• The Lake Michigan in the Chicago is the magnificent example for
visible edge that is gigantic and completely exposed. Yet the façade of
Chicago at the lake is unforgettable site.
 DISTRICTS
• Districts are the relatively large city areas which an observer can
mentally penetrate.
• Each part of Boston is different from the other, one can easily tell
what area it is.
• New Jersey has districts too but they are primarily ethnic with little
physical distinction.
• Los Angeles is marked lacking in strong areas except for the Civic
Centre area.
• A reinforcement of clues is needed to produce a strong image,
example is the Little Tokyo in Los Angeles recognised by its population
and the lettering on its signs or otherwise not distinguished from
other part of the city.
• The quality of Beacon hill is known for its nearness to Scollay square
and the downtown shopping districts.