6/29/2017 IMAGEOFTHECITY,byKevinLynch|InnoVault

IMAGE OF THE CITY, by Kevin Lynch

by Vowelsindia | Mar 4, 2017 | 3. Paperback Wednesdays | 0 comments

It may or may not be odd to nd yourself in a new city as you unfold your window blinds. Perhaps
its a dream or maybe not, but would you feel lost and desolate or would you be able to recognise
the city by its Architecture? By the citys planning? Would it be strange if you did? Wouldnt it be
phenomenal if we identi ed the city not only from memories but also from a verbal description?

What would the city planning mean to the people who live there or tourists who get a glimpse of the
city? How can we improve the experience for the city dwellers as an Architect and planner?

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Abstract City map of New York, Milan, New Delhi, Paris

Kevin Lynch has a unique take on these questions. The Image of the City reveals a new
perspective on how to analyse and improvise the visual elements of the city. Lynch says

Every citizen has had long associations with some part of the city,and his image is soaked in memories
and meanings.

He describes the city with certain characters, built in small space on a vast scale. Portraying there
is always more than what the eye can see, more than the ear can hear.

Nothing is experienced by itself, but always in relation to its surroundings, the sequences of events
leading up to it, the memory of past experiences.

The book has a structure that makes a visual plan by studying the existing form and public image
of the locality. Lynch has tried to contemplate the critical problems, opportunities and images
elements and advocates to use them in designing a city.

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In the process of way- nding, the strategic link is the environmental image,
the generalised mental picture of the exterior physical world that is held by an individual.
This image is the product both of immediate sensation and of the memory of an experience, and it is used
to interpret information and to guide action.

Way nding is de ned as the art of using signs, symbols, and architectural elements to create a system
to direct people to navigate.

To demonstrate this, he takes three cities BOSTON, NEW JERSEY, LOS ANGELES as examples
and tries to introduce a system in which we can derive design principles. Lynch explains image as
a picture especially in mind, a composite idea between the intended image of the city and
personal thoughts of a human. Lynch emphasis on legibility and clarity, however, it is not the only
criteria to an alluring city, its about urban scale, time and complexity. The Image of the
environment, the title of the rst chapter elucidates the powerful images that are routed in two
directions, between the observers and the environment. The spectator adapts to his perspective,
and he selects, organises and endows with the meaning of what he sees. Thus, the different
perspective of each observer leads to million other viewpoints. These images help us locate
ourselves within the city, this is how we nd our way around the city. These images are
recognition of individuality in the city or as a whole, spatial or pattern relationships to another
part of the city. This concept is being used to rebuild cities. Lynch believes the image of the
environment, when consciously designed will improve the sense of security for its residents, the
harmony between the environment and the user is analyzed by three components: Identity (the
recognition of urban elements as separate entities), structure(the relation of urban elements to
other observer), and meaning (practical and emotional value to the observer). A distinctive city
can rede ne and give the new brand to the lives of people.

To learn about the character and structure of the public image, Lynch introduces these three
cities for investigation. A persons perception of the world is known as a Mental map. The mental
map was understood by, asking directions to a landmark or other location. Second, by asking
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someone to draw a sketch map of an area or describe that area. Finally, by asking a person to
name as many places as possible in a short period. He then created a public image of the city by
interviewing several citizens and by eld study on foot by trained observer, so these created
different images.

Illustration from the book: The Boston image (clockwise) as derived from the verbal interview, as
derived from sketch maps, Distinctive images of Boston, The visual forms as seen in the eld.

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Illustration from the book: Problems of the Boston Image

At the outset, Boston was identi ed with historical and culture vibrancies, people resonated with
old buildings and new roads have changed the relationship of elements. Jersey City was criticised
for the poor street system and sharply noted for the few green areas in the surroundings. Los
Angeles, the new city, had a good road network, the grid pattern served easy navigation, and
people found their way easier and were able to communicate directions much better.

The Mental maps consist of ve elements summarised by Lynch. He de ned these elements as
Paths, Edges, Districts, Nodes, and Landmarks.

Paths are the principal elements in urban space. The image of the path can be strengthened by
distinctive facade ornamentation and spatial arrangements. An important characteristic of a road
is that it must be identi able and continue to the destination. People observe the city while
moving through it along these paths the other environmental elements are arranged and related.
They may be streets, pathways, transit lines, canals or railroads.

Edges help to de ne where one area ends and another begins. Edges can be better de ned
through aesthetic improvements such as gateway features, urban design elements, landscape and
provisions for safe and convenient pedestrian and bicycle connections along and across these
areas.

Districts are comparatively large city areas with familiar characters. The physical characteristics
that determine regions are thematic continuities which may consist of an endless variety of
components: texture, space, form, detail, symbol and so on. These elements are imaged and
recognised in a characteristic cluster to establish a striking contrast. Besides, a positive
reinforcement of clues is needed to produce a sharp image of an entire district.

Nodes are an intentional heart, which observers can enter, they can be squares, linear shapes, and
central areas, etc. Fundamentally, there are two types of nodes: junctions of path and
concentrations of characteristics. A successful node will attract people and be identi ed by a well-
de ned activity.

Landmarks can be de ned as marker, sight, attraction, sign, renowned, prominent. It is usually
easily noticed and remembered which are effortlessly distinguished. The unusual appearance of
any structure makes the presence signi cantly visible.

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Kevin Lynch found that in the fundamental structure if cities, walkways are not simply paths,

but they can also create edges and nodes, de ne and strengthen landmarks and

serve as district boundaries.

Above all, the image of the city is progressive; it may not only differ in scale but also by viewpoint
and time. Furthermore, Observers will be able to select, remove and increase elements to ornate
their city. The outcome of describing a city is forever more developing. This book is about the
image of a city, and its importance, its variety and how citizens react to it. If you are an architect,
or a City planner, or A city dweller, youd love reading this fresh perspective on designing a city!

Kevin Lynch was an American urban planner and author, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright before training
in city planning. He is known for his work on the perceptual form of urban environments and was an early
proponent of mental mapping.
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