| Elements of a City by Mary Frances Higuchi |
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| Elements of a City by Mary Frances Higuchi |
Five elements help us to see the environmental image of a city. The elements generally overlap and don't exist in isolation. As Kevin Lynch points out, "Districts are structured with nodes, defined by edges, penetrated by paths, and sprinkled with landmarks." (The Image of the City. Kevin Lynch. Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the President and Fellows of Harvard College. 1960. 23rd printing, 1994. Pages 48-49.)
PATHS - channel for movement (i.e., streets, sidewalks, railroads, canals, transit lines)
People observe the city while moving through it.
NODES - points, junctions, a crossing, convergence of paths (i.e., break-points of transportation - railroad stop or highway to city street; plaza, commercial corner; hang-out)
People enter the city at strategic points, or they head toward a spot.
EDGES - boundaries between two phases (i.e., shores, walls, barriers)
Edges close one region from another. Or, they could be lines that hold related regions together.
DISTRICT - territory with a function (i.e., park, residential area)
Districts are the sections of the city.
LANDMARK - reference point (i.e., natural feature, monument, statue)
Landmarks become identifiable if they stand out and are different from their surroundings.
