Factors affecting imageability and legibility of an urban environment: insights from Colombo, Sri Lanka

Abstract

A person’s orientation in the environment, basically depends on the visual perception on the physical elements in his surrounding environment and most importantly urban places should express an identity and a clear identifiable image. However due to the rapid urbanization and industrialization mega dynamic man-made developments commenced all over the world. Most of the buildings only focused for functional purposes. Because of this, user has to face complex experience in an urban environment. When people are unable to identify spaces precisely to make clear orientation, they get into difficulty in an urban setting. Imageability and legibility are always bound with physical setting of the environment. The aim of this study is to understand and inquire the qualities of organization of the landscape elements in identified urban space and how it influences the memory of people and how they help to read the city to recall the city spaces. The case study is a chosen sector within Colombo 07. It is a mixed residential zonerecently upgraded with urban design and landscape proposals to increase the connectivity and permeability within. The study is based on a survey, including questionnaire and mind maps to collect data on the subject.Through a questionnaire highly imageableand legible places are identified, and through the same questionnaire landscape elements and their qualities of organization which affect to imageability and legibility are identified. Based on the summery and analysis of the data indicated twohighly Imageable and legible places in the area. According to the conclusion of data analysis the position, shape/form, number of elements are the major qualities of organization of landscape elements which highly affected the Imageability and Legibility in an Urban environment, suggesting that this information could be used more effectively to refurbish existing and design new urban landscapes as public spaces.