Façade character repetition and it’s impact on legibility of urban landscapes: a case study of main street Pettah And Galle road (Bambalapitiya)

Abstract

The spaces feature of an urban landscape creates a unique identity. Street patterns, building facades, and open spaces configuration play a crucial on shaping the identity. Sri Lanka does not have specific urban design standards or regulations addressing the visual character of facades, resulting in incoherent and repetitive façade designs across townscapes. The study examines the repetition of façade character and the way it influences the legibility of Urban landscapes, aiming to bridge gaps in current urban perception frameworks and inform future regulatory guidelines. Research analyses how repetition operates through Gestalt principles of proximity, symmetry, and similarity, and will be based on the legibility concepts of Kevin Lynch and Ian Bentley. Using Colombo, focusing on Main Street Pettah and Galle Road (Bambalapitiya) as the study context, and it employed a literature review, field observation, and questionnaire-based interviews. Data are analysed using a qualitative descriptive approach and logical comparisons. The findings reveal nine primary repetition patterns in façade composition, most of which are unrelated to building function. The legibility of these façades was influenced by the presence and combination of Gestalt principles: dual occurrences of rules enhanced legibility, while individual effects varied—proximity increased legibility, whereas symmetry or similarity alone tended to reduce it. The study concludes that façade repetition significantly affects urban legibility under Gestalt principles, offering valuable insights for developing future façade design guidelines and strengthening urban identity.