The Image of the City

Greetings my friends.

Are you feeling bored enough to read my reflection over Kevin Lynch's The Image of the City?! I KNEW YOU WOULD BE! Here ya are fellas:

Kevin Lynch’s The Image of the City informs the reader on several spatial elements: paths, edges, districts, nodes, and landmarks. Throughout the reading, Lynch is constantly giving examples of these elements using well-known cities. Even though many people don’t recognize them, these particular elements make up the image of any city or any place in general. The importance of these aspects is very high because without them, people could not navigate themselves very well at all.

            Paths are channels that the observer moves within. Their importance varies depending on the person and how that person prefers to navigate. There are many ways to increase the image of a path. Interestingly, spatial qualities can strengthen the image of a particular path. A path’s width or length can have a lot of significance to a person. Another image strengthener is having a path in near proximity to special features (or landmarks). When it comes to paths, there are three things to remember: it must be identifiable, continuous, and have a directional quality as well.

            Edges are linear elements that observers do not consider to be paths. They are simply boundaries between two or more areas. Edges can be paths as well, if a path is not easily identifiable. Both edges and paths have directional qualities. Lynch references the Charler River as an example of an easily identified edge. Edges don’t have to just be barries, than can also be uniting seams. Each of these have different effects on people.

            Districts are usually two large areas in which users can identify common characteristics between the two. There are several different things that can define districts’ thematic continuites: texture, space, detail, symbol, building type, use, activity, and many more. Due to the fact that many types of districts exist, there needs to be reinforcement of clues to produce a strong correlating image of a districts. Lynch states that New York is well-oriented because it has a number of well defined districts. He uses New York as a reference for what a good district consists of.

            Nodes are a place of break in transportation. It is where users must make a decision. People heighten attention at these places because they want to be sure to go the right way. Nodes can be both junctions or concentrations. Nodles, similar to districts, can be introvert or extrovert. Introvert meaning that they have little directional sense, or extrovert meaning that they are well explained to the user. Lynch notes that Scollay Square, the Charles Stree Rotary, and South Station are all strong examples of nodes in Boston.

            Landmarks are physical references to be considered by the user. In order for a landmark to be successful in wayfinding, it must be unique or memorable in context. People should be able to easily identify it and see that it contrasts with its surroundings. Placing a landmark where path decisions exist strengthens it. Using a sequential series of landmarks is also a great tool. This is a standard way of how people travel in a city.

            Overall, all of these elements are equally important. Once they are all patterned together, a satisfying image is created. These elements give people a way to organize their surroundings. These organizing efforts should facilitate a place rather than frustrate it, if used correctly.