The Streetscape design : an examination of the relationship between the architectural composition of streetscape and legibility of urban space

Abstract

Architecture is not mere enclosure and shelter. It is neither the details nor materials and technology used. It is primarily a spatial experience. It is experiencing of space, which gives such a quality to a particular created space; in this study it is the urban streetscape. It needs to achieve, protect and enhance quality of space. The built environment has a profound influence on man and his behavior, in terms of modifying the physical world to accommodate his physical, psychological and social needs. Man is an emotional as well as an intelligent being. Therefore he is affected psychologically by the sociocultural and physical context as much as he is affected in terms of physical comfort. Thus, particular environment has a definite and definable influence on man and his behavior. This has resulted in the evolution of different types of Architectural products such as; houses, churches, markets, offices and specially the urban streetscapes. The quality of the environment within such space has to encourage and propagate the activity within, in order to be success. This has been a major responsibility of Architecture through the ages. Urban spaces are always closely associated with functions. These spaces can be formal or informal and be large or small depending on their scale. Formal urban spaces usually have regular arrangements with strong, supporting elements and a strong sense of enclosure. Every city consists of urban spaces, in the form of street space. The buildings should be designed with a correct understanding of the character of existing urban spaces and a clean conception of how to create meaningful 'places' with in a given context. At this point the principles of Architectural composition and legibility in an urban streetscape becomes more important.