Abstract:
The experiencing of strong images within an urban environment help to generate clues
of identification within our mind. The intensity of these clues help to recognize that
location accurately. The imageability of a location is strongly influenced by various kinds
of landmarks found in that particular environment. These landmarks could be doorknob
or a stone mark, or a sophisticated building.
The dissertation is a study of landmarks and their characteristics in order to understand
their contribution to imageability and legibility in an urban street.
Here the main focus was to identify the object buildings in an urban streetscape through
an extensive survey, and then determine to what extent they possess the attributes of
successful landmarks, which were identified through a literature study. The buildings that
were determined to be landmarks were then discussed in terms of their contribution to
the overall imageability of the selected street segments considered in the case studies.
Imeagibility of streets play a major role which directly effects the day to day life of the
community. Streets contribute to the social and urban life of the society which generates
feelings of "safety, "sense of place", "sense of belongingness" etc in an urban context.
In this context a person should be able to feel and understand his relative position in the
street environment to ensure his sense of place and orientation within the street, which
facilitates free movement without any confusion or fear of being lost. This results through
developing an image of that particular environment, and this will vary from person to
person.
A clear sense of orientation helps to perceive a good environmental image, which often
influences behavior pattern and psychology. Therefore when designing a building to a
street facade, it is vital to identify whether the proposed building will act as a landmark or
not.
The analysis was focused to identify the basic characteristics of a landmark as physical
and associational attributes. Physical attributes mainly contribute to the visibility of the
object and to dive a symbolical meaning attached to it. Therefore in every context these
two characteristics involved to build up "mental pictures" in the minds of its inhabitants.
Through this study one can easily understand the role landmarks play within the
streetscape and the factors that directly contribute to making more meaningful
landmarks within a context. It would also be a valuable reference for architectural
students.
Through this dissertation it was intended to introduce some basic guidelines for
architectural students, town planners, architects etc to understand and stimulate further
exploration on the role landmarks play within the streetscape and how these factors
contribute to the an overall meaningful Imageability in a particular urban context.
