MAKING THE URBAN VISUAL SURVEY

H. Roger Smith

 

Survey

Pathway

Districts

Edges

Landmark:

Nodes

Imageability     =           Integrate

Strengthen

Continuity

 

Landform & Nature

Topography

Forn & Character

Features (Indigenous)

Natural Vegetatlon

Architectural Forms Relating to Landscape

Relations of Nature to City

Relations of City to Nature

 

C1imate

Temperature

Light

Precipitation

Sun

Winds

Micro-Macro

Climates

 

City Shape

Radiocentric

Rectilinear

Star

Ring

Linear

Branch

Sheet - (Articulated Sheet)

Satellite

Constellation

 

Size

Relates to Spatial Nature

Amsterdam - walk across, but 1,000.000 pop.

 

Density

Relates to Size and other factors

--#of people/unit

--# of houses/unlt

--# of cars

Built-up area/open space

Floor area/unit

 

Pattern

Relates to Shape or a smaller scale

Curvilinear

Rectilinear

Cul de sac

Mixturss

 

Grain--Fineness and Coarseness

Texture--Mix of Fine and Course Elements

 

Built up Spaces vs Open Spaces

Space defined by solids

Shape, pattern, grain, size, density and texture - a1l basically solids

Formal spaces, natural open spaces

Total space

Islands and Linear

Enclosed and Open Space

Linear Space define movement

Islands or Bases are stopping p1ace

Natural Space brings Nature into city (bluffs)

 

Routes

Principle determinant of urban form

Begin in non-urban countryside

Imageability

Should define and help

Not slash through being divisive or blighting

 

 

Hinterland

How relate to terrain?

Awkward or artful

Revealing or disguising

Vistas --sudden or gradual

Visually dull or exciting

Blighting or Beautifying

 

Approach Routes

Outlying routes first intro to city, create first impression

Inform and conduct viewer

 

Major Routes--Internal

Carry high volume

Help define city

Create ties to other routes to other districts

What effect do they have upon cityscape, districts, buildings

How can they be improved

How do they relate to secondary streets

 

Local Streets

Stop & Go streets

Pedestrian & Vehicular flow

Conflict

Where? How much?  Long waits at crossings? Open crossing?  Grade specifications?

Can traffic be relocated

What is dimensional scale of streets

 

Districts

Series of parts

Disricts, Quarters, precincts, sector enclaves

# varies with magnitude of city

Size of district determined by natural and manmade phenomena

Some districts very definable, often around “wallet” issues—Greenwich Village,  East Side, Georgetown Loop, Beacon Hill, Telegraph Hill

            Others may have genenc name—Old Town, Silk Stocking, Down Town, Uptown. Midtown,. Hilltop

Sometimes have Ethnlc identity--Chinatown, Harlem

Or Cultural meaning--"other side of the tracks,”  Haymarket, Skid Row

Two factors to observe in differentiating distncts

Physical Form

Visible Activity

Downtown vs neighborhood

Complexity - intramixture of complementary activities - Greenwich Village

Things to look for in analysis

Components

Slze (Shape, density. texture)

Appearances

Activity

Threats

Relationships

Emergent Forms (New Town in Town)

Strip commercial

 

Anatomy of Distnct (Diagnosis or Dissection)

Form

Activity - what is happening; when, where, good or bad

Features

            Paths

Centers

Intrusions

Change

Improvements

 Activity Structure of Districts and Nodes

            Living - Working - Shopping - Travel - Leisure

Recreatlon learning

Logic of location

Symbiosis and Interrelationships

Density topography - routes effect

 Orientation of Districts

Logic of morphology

Reveals itself by activation, strong sense of orientation

If logic but little visibility, articulation creates confusion

                        Frustration - Anxiety - Lost

Landmarks provide orientation

Nodes require orientation

Details of Distncts

Tell age, purpose, upkeep, decay

Street furniture

Buildings - Trees

 Pedestrian Areas

Pedestrian often overlooked

Some areas require it for maintenance of vitality

Points to Consider

Quality of ped spaces

Width

Paving

Condition

Protection

Furnishings

                        Interruptions

Flow across interruptions

Visua1 quality

 

Vista & Skyline

Internal  & External--related to terrain

Dallas Emerges

San Francisco surprise

Views into city are an asset

Views out of city are, too

Skyline often most important asset—creates identity, reference

Tall buildings in groups

Effective

Singles often disruptive

Create landmark

Night Lighting

Excitement dynamics

Visual Survey of Night Lighting is valuable

 

Non Physical Aspects

Create part of Image of City

Parades

Ceremonies

Events

History

Visual symbols of city personality give continuity, 2nd character

Boston—learning

New York—finance

Miami--leisure

Visual Survey is mapping project

 

METHODS OF MAPPING - Individual Method

Combines

Size

Shape

Pattern

Density & Grain

Visual Accent

Visual Activities

Vistas

Borders & Edges

Portals

Paths

Oases

Continuity

Magnets & Generators

Feeders

How

Sketches – Photos--Notes

Maps--Symbols