Navigating the Cityscape: Role of Urban Elements in Imageability of Residential neighbourhoods, Case of Ahmedabad

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Anushree Shaju, Prof. Pooja Raval This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5415645/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Cities have been primarily identified with the identical character and memory that the built landscape offers. The research aims to identify the spatial dimensions and structural elements that qualitatively evaluate urban forms contributing to imageability by examining how residents perceive their neighborhoods, including physical elements and social interactions. In Ahmedabad’s case, the residential neighborhoods in the east and west have remarkably contrasting built and social environments. The research contributes to the evolved ideas of legibility and way-finding in the contemporary discourses of Indian cities through qualitative research with identified cases. Imageability Kevin Lynch Legibility Spatial legibility Ahmedabad Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 10 Figure 11 Figure 12 Figure 13 Figure 14 Figure 15 Figure 16 Figure 17 Figure 18 Figure 19 Figure 20 Introduction The city system of today is a reflection and result of a diverse social order, and the resultant invisible form of the city is complex, a clear reflection of human progress in various fields. One of the most important characteristics of a city is its quality of legibility, which brings clarity in a physical and visual sense, and it is what is missing in most cities today. Most areas are haphazardly planned over a period without any recognizable structure, whether rich or varied, while most are monotonous patterns of some static elements that can rarely convey places and their meanings. The layout of a city, or its spatial configuration, significantly impacts how people find their way around. When a city or a location is imageable, individuals can quickly identify and form a clear pattern (Lynch, 1960).In the context of urban design and architecture, imageability refers to the quality of a city or urban environment that makes it memorable, recognizable, and easily navigable in the minds of its inhabitants and visitors (Lynch, 1960).It includes the visual and spatial characteristics of a built environment, which contribute to forming a mental map and forming the perception of a place. According to Lynch, imageability is shaped by five main elements: nodes, edges, landmarks, districts, and edges. These five elements together create a cognitive framework that helps individuals to perceive and interact with the urban environment; they shape the legibility and identity of a place and become crucial, creating memorable and vibrant cities that foster a sense of place, community, and belonging. This study began as an inquiry into the nature of such urban spaces, which can also turn out to be urban components, where besides the analysis of physical form, some related topics are briefly touched upon that are necessary to look at the selected urban component in its totality. Aim Identify the role of urban elements that become anchors and contribute to Imageability in Ahmedabad's Residential neighborhoods. Objectives To understand how people perceive imageability in neighbourhoods of Astodiya and Bopal. To identify and analyse how key urban identified by Lynch play a role in imageability and understand the spatial scale of Imageability. Research Questions What is the role of urban elements in contributing towards imageability in residential neighbourhoods of Astodiya Chakla and Bopal in Ahmedabad? How does the spatial configuration of the two different residential built contexts in Ahmedabad define imageability? Scope & Limitations The research is focussed on non-gated residential neighbourhoods within the selected two areas. The research will examine the neighborhood’s physical layout and urban elements using Lynch’s framework, where data collection would involve qualitative methods such as on-site observations, architectural documentation, and interviews to get an insight from the resident's and visitors' perception of the neighborhood’s imageability. This method of data collection may introduce subjectivity. The study will not capture the full complexity of imageability by taking insights from socio-economic statistics, cultural diversity, or historical context, which might also influence perceptions and experience of one environment. Methodology Background Study It is believed that locations in a context are generally identified by many objects from that context; their property of being recognized by some distinctive symbol system is important for creating distinct images. The visibility and imageability of an object become a prerequisite for an object to be a landmark. These two aspects are essentially required to catch people's attention. But these two aspects depend on the physical or formal characteristics of the element, such as mass, texture, appearance, accessibility, location, and uniqueness. Lynch’s idea of Imageability Various notions and theories exist to understand city structure and its elements. Scholars have conducted several research studies on different phenomena, such as behavioral, sociological, humanistic, and morphological. But only a few have studied 'how people understand the city structure and organize themselves and behave in it'. One Among them was Lynch, an eminent urban scholar who studied three American cities to find out how people 'understand' and 'perceive' a city, what the 'types of elements help evoke city images, and through which they can perceive the city. In other words, he identified the elements of cities' physical structure, making them imageable. Therefore, he developed a method to study the cities’ visual legibility and used it to investigate 'how people look at their cities and What they mentally map' about their cities. Although Lynch’s study generated tremendous interest in the fields of architecture, planning, and environmental psychology, most subsequent studies exclusively focused on the visual and spatial dimensions of imageability and their use for wayfinding. (Lynch, 1960)himself studied only those two dimensions but clearly acknowledged the importance of place meanings in evoking place images. Identity : The ability to identify element of the city within the overall context. Structure : Spatial relationship or pattern between the elements within, elements and the observer, a whole context. Meaning : Practical and emotional value to the observer. (Lynch, 1960) It is believed that creating the image of an environment is a two-way process, it is the result of an interaction between the observer and the environment in which he lives. The process involves how people perceive themselves and consider themselves as a part of an environment. It also reflects the influence of the environment and the observer. “Nothing is experienced by itself, but in relation to its surroundings, the sequences of events leading up to it” (Lynch, 1960).A core concept in his work is " legibility ," which refers to the city's ability to be easily understood and mentally mapped. Lynch argued that a legible city facilitates wayfinding, enabling people to recognize and organize urban elements into a coherent framework. The conceptual relationship between Imageability and Legibility Theories behind how people perceive cities (imageability) and how easy they are to navigate (legibility) help us understand the connection between these concepts and related terms like landmarks and visibility. The conceptual diagram as shown in Figure 4 indicates the visual, structural, and semantic properties of landmarks that are significant in improving imageability, since the identification of landmarks is strongly influenced by memories of the past and semantic properties it is given more importance. While the visual, structural, and semantic qualities of landmarks also influence legibility, spatial configuration and layout complexity play a major role and are linked to structural attributes. Furthermore, visibility and legibility go hand in hand, with visibility levels determined by structural and visual characteristics. Notion of Imageability For an environmental cue, feature, and/or location, the imageability depends on the presence or absence of either one or many physical attributes attached to it and their degree of strength and redundancy. (Silva, 2019). The physical imageable attributes include- Form, Perpetual Access, Use and Spatial Structure. Form -Contour, shape, or size (e.g. colour, texture, material, solid/ void, ornamentations, other details, graffiti signage) around or in an element. Perpetual Access -Type of access, intensity of access, significance of access and proximity to prominent cues. Use - Use intensity, singularity, quality (quality of amenities and service) and use saliency (both latter notions are related to meanings) Spatial structure – shape of layout, its representation from outside (in the case of a building, interconnection density of pathways or corridors, physical and visual accessibility, inside-outside visible relationships, and pattern of circulation network) (Silva, 2019) Lynch distinguished all the forms and qualities that add to an urban environment's visibility, coherence, clarity, and legibility, as well as the forms and attributes that emerge from its layout. (Tolue Silavi, 2017). Lynch’s legible qualities to evaluate an urban form are singularity, simplicity, continuity, dominance, clarity of intersections, directional differentiation, and visual scope. Two additional qualities are suggested ‘time series’ and ‘names and meanings’ that are nonphysical characteristics that enhance the imageability of a given urban element. (Tolue Silavi, 2017) Findings Case Study 1: Astodiya Chakla Study area: 200m x 200m. Astodiya Chakla's history as a traditional neighborhood offers a chance to explore how the area's imageability has evolved alongside its development. Its historical context, mixed-use character, and potential for diverse path networks can lead to rich insights into how residents navigate and form mental maps of their surroundings. Case Study 2: Bopal Study area: 400m x 250m. Bopal has a diverse urban fabric; this provides an opportunity to study how edges are formed between these distinct zones. Bopal has the presence of low-density areas with similar architectural styles that could lead to a uniform environment that allows us to compare how residents form mental maps in contrasting environments. Analysis Case Study 1: Astodiya Chakla The parameters listed in Figure 6 are used to analyse the physical attributes and the spatial structure of this urban layout, this would also allow in identifying the elements that contribute to imageability in this neighbourhood. Singularity/Differentiation In this neighbourhood the street edge appears as a continuous wall, that creates singularity, and the built typology is same i.e., pol houses as shown in Figure 10.The built typology reflects traditional patterns of living and community interaction. The façade of the houses follows the traditional pol house architecture but have different elements in each building as shown in Figure 11 and Figure 12, features such as carved brackets, cornices, and projecting eaves contribute to the unique character of each building and contribute to the overall image of the neighborhood. Dominance The dominance in Astodia is due to its built environment through its grain size, built mass, and building height, which contribute to the imageability of the area by creating a visually cohesive and memorable urban fabric. The fine grain size and substantial built mass Establish a sense of enclosure (Refer to the built open diagram in Figure 14), which enhances the pedestrian experience. It encourages exploration and interaction within the neighborhood, while the low to medium-rise building height maintains a human-scale environment. The densely packed buildings contribute to a cohesive streetscape, with facades lining the streets and forming continuous building fronts, as shown in Figure 13. Continuity As the built form in this neighborhood lacks setbacks (see Figure 15) and creates a continuous line along the street, resulting in visual continuity and defining the edge of the urban space, it establishes a cohesive streetscape, as shown in Figure 13. The consistent alignment of building facades enhances the perception of continuity and reinforces the spatial boundaries of the neighborhood. It also contributes to a sense of coherence and legibility, making Astodia a distinct and memorable residential area. With varying building heights, most structures ranging from three to four stories tall and uniform width, there is a general uniformity in scale as well. Clarity of Intersections Astodia features nodes or strategic points of convergence where streets intersect, creating important focal points within the neighborhood. These nodes often coincide and serve as visual landmarks. (See Figure 16) These street edges help guide the eye towards the intersection, creating visual cues that reinforce the spatial organization of the neighborhood and facilitate wayfinding. By inviting mutual interaction between the occupants and visitors these geometrically clear building edges bring social cohesion to the urban environment. Architectural elements such as ornamental gateways, arches, or signage (as shown in Figure 17) are incorporated along street edges to enhance their visibility and emphasize the importance of the intersection as a focal point within the urban fabric. Simplicity Astodia's streets are created organically, in contrast to geometric grid layouts with repeating blocks. Unlike intricate grids, the streets radiate outward from center nodes (chowks), resulting in a pattern that is easier to understand (Refer Figure 18). Creating a more intuitive layout compared to complex grids, streets vary in width, allowing for natural expansions and contractions as compared to monotonous uniformity. Closed Vista The link between human scale and urban form raises the question of humans being able to understand the built world in their immediate surroundings. The presence of closed vistas in Astodia's residential area creates a sense of enclosure within the urban fabric, contributing to its distinctive character and imageability. By limiting long-range views and creating visually enclosed spaces, closed vistas promote pedestrian exploration and interaction within the neighborhood, as shown in Figure 19 and Figure 20 encouraging residents and visitors to engage with the built environment at a human scale. Conclusion An image is a mental construct composed of a collection of visual associations and information about the urban environment that is already known. The picture is developed by interaction rather than simply seeing the city. The elements that determine the image of an urban environment comprise the centers of human activity, man-made and natural landmarks, physical borders, and the simultaneous movement system. In cities that have grown slowly, the character of paths is built rather than applied. At Astodiya, specific types of elements function best at specific scales. On the one hand, the otlas , the steps, the modest extensions of the plinths, etc., create an engaging edge while making the surrounding edge is porous. On the other hand, an edge designed to accommodate both pedestrians and vehicles has a very different scale; the size of open volumes formed by individual buildings is more related to the present scale of the neighborhood and its users. Therefore, people’s participation in an urban environment is a multifaceted attribute that aids in determining whether the element is imageable. When the elements of visual pattern correspond to the elements of functional, physical, or social pattern, they become an important attribute that contributes to the overall image of the neighborhood. Paths: The narrow, winding streets of Astodiya form a network of paths that encourage exploration and discovery. They serve as the primary means of movement and interaction within the neighborhood, guiding residents and visitors through its dense urban fabric. Edges: The continuous street edges, defined by the unbroken building lines and consistent building heights, act as strong boundaries that enclose the streets and create a sense of enclosure and intimacy. These edges delineate public and private spaces, contributing to the neighborhood's legibility. Districts: The consistent built typology and block size in Astodiya create distinct districts within the neighborhood. The homogeneous architecture, with its repetitive facades and similar scales, fosters a sense of visual cohesion and reinforces the identity of each district. Nodes: The absence of setbacks and the resulting continuous building line contribute to forming nodes, or focal points, at street intersections and squares. These nodes serve as gathering spaces for social interaction and commercial activity, adding to the neighborhood's vibrancy. Landmarks: While Astodiya may lack prominent individual landmarks, the intricate details of individual facades, such as ornate balconies, carved wooden doors, and decorative elements, can serve as micro-landmarks. These details create a visually rich environment and add to the neighborhood's charm Some of the identified inferences also include: Parameters Objectives Findings Singularity The difference might be noticeable in the immediate visible environment or in the observer's perception. These qualities are what give an element its identity, making it stand out, memorable, vivid, and easily recognizable. As observers become more familiar with a place, they rely less on obvious physical connections to understand the whole and start to appreciate the contrasts and unique elements that make the scene more interesting. The consistent building height and continuous street edge create a unified and visually cohesive streetscape where the street edge appears to be a continuous wall and creates singularity. Multiple interactions along the façade are possible. The building proportions and the scale of the architectural elements are human-centric allowing human interaction. The uninterrupted row of buildings creates a strong sense of visual unity and rhythm along the street edge. This consistency in form and scale helps to define the character of the neighborhood Continuity The continuation of edges or surfaces (like a street channel, skyline, or setback), closeness of elements (like a group of buildings), repetition of rhythmic intervals (like a street-corner pattern), or similarity in surface, form, or use (like a common building material, recurring pattern of bay windows, similar market activity, or the use of consistent signage) - all these qualities help us see a complex environment as a unified whole or as interconnected parts. These are the qualities that contribute to a place having a distinct identity. The continuous line of buildings creates a visually unified streetscape, enhancing the perception of continuity along the street. This cohesion is strengthened by the consistent building height and the alignment of the facades, which creates a sense of order. The continuous street edge seamlessly integrates various functions, such as residential, commercial. The absence of setbacks creates a continuous building line along both sides of the street. This unbroken edge establishes a strong sense of visual cohesion and defines the street as a distinct public space. The horizontal elements, such as the continuous roofline, balconies, and awnings, emphasize the linear nature of the street and contribute to the perception of continuity. The buildings on both sides of the street maintain a relatively consistent height. This uniformity reinforces the visual continuity and creates a sense of order. Clarity of Intersection High visibility of connections and transitions (like at a major intersection or a seafront); clear relationship and connection (like a building to its site or a subway station to the street above). These connections are crucial points in the structure and should be easily noticeable. In Astodiya the important street according to accessibility and density that people use for communal or other public uses becomes the node. Each building is getting a scope for having its own character the buildings are following the same built typology and the facade can have different elements which helps in having a different experience. A temple placed at an intersection can become a point of reference, a space that has cultural or social significance and allows people to gather becomes a node in this neighbourhood. Form Simplicity Clear and simple visible forms in a geometric sense, a limited number of parts (like in a grid system, a rectangle, or a dome). These kinds of forms are much easier to remember, and there's evidence that people will simplify complex things into simpler forms, even if it means some inaccuracy. When we can't see something all at once, its shape can be a distorted version of a simple form and still be easily understood. The consistent built typology and block size in Astodiya contribute to its imageability by creating a clear, recognizable, and memorable image of the neighborhood. This image is reinforced by the rhythmic repetition of similar forms, the well-defined edges, and the identifiable districts. As people move through the neighborhood, they can easily orient themselves and understand the spatial layout, enhancing their sense of place and belonging. The organic and dense layout of Astodiya Chakla starkly contrasts with the more planned and grid-like structures often found in western Ahmedabad. The simplicity of the built environment allows the intricate details of individual facades to stand out. This creates a visually rich and engaging environment that is both legible and memorable. Dominance One part can stand out over others due to its size, intensity, or interest, making the entire area perceived as a main feature with a group of connected elements. This quality, similar to continuity, allows for a simplified mental image by leaving out or combining details. Physical traits, as long as they're noticeable at all, seem to spread their image in our minds from a central point. The characteristics of this street with similar scale and proportion of the built and these mixed-use buildings with a shop and negotiated spaces with street vendors and other informal activities creates a dominant character that enhances the neighbourhood’s imageability. Astodiya's bustling street life, with small shops spilling onto sidewalks, stands out from the typically private facades of residential buildings and becomes a memorable element, potentially serving as a landmark. Visual Scope Qualities that enhance our ability to see farther and deeper, whether in reality or through suggestion. These include transparent elements (like glass or buildings on stilts), overlaps (where structures are seen behind others), vistas and panoramas that expand our field of vision (as seen on straight streets, open spaces, or high viewpoints curving street) area ahead, or details hinting at something nearby). The presence of closed vistas in Astodia's residential area creates a sense of enclosure within the urban fabric, contributing to its distinctive character and imageability. By limiting long-range views and creating visually enclosed spaces, closed vistas promote pedestrian exploration and interaction within the neighborhood, with the built environment at a human scale. Declarations Author Contribution Ar. Anushree Shaju wrote the manuscript Prof. Pooja Raval was involved in curating the research, formulating structure, guidance and supervision Acknowledgment We acknowledge the faculty and review members of Institute of Architecture and Planning, Nirma University for guiding the study and providing positive feedback Funding Information This is an academic undergraduate project, and no funding was received for the same References Abeynayake, T. M. (2022). Imageability and legibility: cognitive analysis and visibility assessment in Galle heritage city. Journal of Architecture and Urbanism , 123-136. Gehl, J. (2010). Cities for Peope. Washington DC: Island Press. Jagganath, T. (2019, 02 17). Planning Tank. Retrieved from https://planningtank.com/blog/influence-on-urban-planning-kevin-lynch Lynch, K. (1960). Image of the City. MIT Press. Silva, K. D. (2019). The City Imageability: A framework for defining urban heritage dimensions. ResearchGate . Sonia, J. (2018). City Branding and the Tourist Gaze: City Branding for Tourism Development. European Journal of Social Science Education and Research . Tolue Silavi, F. H. (2017). The Legibility and Permeability of Cities:Examining the Role of Spatial Data and Metrics. International Journal of Geo-Information , 20. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-5415645","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":377594370,"identity":"0c69d1df-9c13-4e71-8169-95d953c08795","order_by":0,"name":"Ar. 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(Source: Google Earth)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figure7.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5415645/v1/25533d9a51bffeb8aa6b9cde.jpg"},{"id":71637007,"identity":"2afa8b01-40d7-42d4-9f38-2f102fca79a6","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-17 10:22:05","extension":"jpg","order_by":8,"title":"Figure 8","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":132337,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSatellite image of study area, Bopal (Source: Google Earth)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figure8.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5415645/v1/a758a7d3a86aa7f71144009d.jpg"},{"id":71637010,"identity":"6f88d364-1c43-4ce2-a270-13d3de45e1b7","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-17 10:22:05","extension":"jpg","order_by":9,"title":"Figure 9","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":104946,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSite plan with selected road for analysis and central node. (Source: Author)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figure9.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5415645/v1/e79b10a44465bb2e5c8fa022.jpg"},{"id":71638131,"identity":"5667c7cf-3197-4bc5-89c5-57491519e29e","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-17 10:30:05","extension":"jpg","order_by":10,"title":"Figure 10","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":27915,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eContinuous street edge. (Source: Author)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figure10.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5415645/v1/7e11ac396f22fceeac1e05dc.jpg"},{"id":71636995,"identity":"f5f10e3a-b5f6-49fc-a841-eedbf6e3e0ff","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-17 10:22:05","extension":"png","order_by":11,"title":"Figure 11","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":331405,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eImages showing the distinct façades of residential buildings in Astodiya (Source: Author)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"11.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5415645/v1/bc0209ed9a3f6cf79e184180.png"},{"id":71637009,"identity":"8e569bf6-74b9-428e-9eac-9b2116595679","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-17 10:22:05","extension":"png","order_by":12,"title":"Figure 12","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":32719,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eStreet elevation of Residential buildings in Astodiya. (Source: Author)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figure12.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5415645/v1/7ecf239c8fa79a69263acab8.png"},{"id":71638124,"identity":"5c2f29ff-e147-4ad2-828e-b87c22f3d3cd","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-17 10:30:05","extension":"jpg","order_by":13,"title":"Figure 13","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":177268,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eCohesive streetscape at Astodiya. (Source: Author)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figure13.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5415645/v1/20e4e5b61ce927daa247d9ec.jpg"},{"id":71638746,"identity":"95329722-2959-43a6-8dac-19b3b4dddecc","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-17 10:38:05","extension":"png","order_by":14,"title":"Figure 14","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":187466,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eBuilt an Open Diagram of Astodiya. (Source: Author)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figure14.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5415645/v1/56e1c788669280df70fe4094.png"},{"id":71640223,"identity":"b85fd620-43d5-4467-960c-50655affd065","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-17 10:46:05","extension":"jpg","order_by":15,"title":"Figure 15","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":12080,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eStreet section showing lack of setbacks. (Source: Author)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"figure15.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5415645/v1/c29c6d5b08e5d4ef4b9ab59d.jpg"},{"id":71637003,"identity":"621c02a9-727d-4cc0-ad81-044debf6072e","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-17 10:22:05","extension":"png","order_by":16,"title":"Figure 16","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":388126,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eAstodiya's street intersection. (Source: Author)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"16.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5415645/v1/4af9cf74aeee4ea0fb8be47c.png"},{"id":71636999,"identity":"ff121453-3c87-4bc4-8551-b753eb920258","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-17 10:22:05","extension":"png","order_by":17,"title":"Figure 17","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":320829,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eGateways defining entry points. (Source: Author)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"17.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5415645/v1/7767851bda75676fd3f845bb.png"},{"id":71638123,"identity":"2c54336c-9a5c-452e-a263-3e12099beee0","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-17 10:30:05","extension":"png","order_by":18,"title":"Figure 18","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":176302,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eStreet network of Astodiya (Source: Author)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figure18.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5415645/v1/66c2aa21a08e24206fb1d5ab.png"},{"id":71638126,"identity":"b37eeaf9-a34a-431b-b21f-cad40993bb50","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-17 10:30:05","extension":"png","order_by":19,"title":"Figure 19","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":9358,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eStreet edge and enclosure (Source: Author)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"19.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5415645/v1/db1e68d66fd7781ee9162c4d.png"},{"id":71638748,"identity":"34556d85-2cd3-4937-a6ae-50b4e4a7c52d","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-17 10:38:05","extension":"png","order_by":20,"title":"Figure 20","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":41211,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eA 3d visual of the hierarchical street layout in Astodia. (Source: Author)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figure20.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5415645/v1/6a52534223072099de77dc0c.png"},{"id":73979664,"identity":"816a6027-086f-446d-b1ba-1a35f1f3dec1","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-01-16 15:02:03","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":3316591,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5415645/v1/56342952-fa61-4678-bcb6-9cc7148a679d.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Navigating the Cityscape: Role of Urban Elements in Imageability of Residential neighbourhoods, Case of Ahmedabad","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe city system of today is a reflection and result of a diverse social order, and the resultant invisible form of the city is complex, a clear reflection of human progress in various fields. One of the most important characteristics of a city is its quality of legibility, which brings clarity in a physical and visual sense, and it is what is missing in most cities today. Most areas are haphazardly planned over a period without any recognizable structure, whether rich or varied, while most are monotonous patterns of some static elements that can rarely convey places and their meanings.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe layout of a city, or its spatial configuration, significantly impacts how people find their way around. \u003cem\u003eWhen a city or a location is\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;imageable,\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eindividuals can quickly identify and form a clear pattern\u003c/em\u003e (Lynch, 1960).In the context of urban design and architecture, imageability refers to the quality of a city or urban environment that makes it memorable, recognizable, and easily navigable in the minds of its inhabitants and visitors (Lynch, 1960).It includes the visual and spatial characteristics of a built environment, which contribute to forming a mental map and forming the perception of a place. According to Lynch, imageability is shaped by five main elements: nodes, edges, landmarks, districts, and edges. These five elements together create a cognitive framework that helps individuals to perceive and interact with the urban environment; they shape the legibility and identity of a place and become crucial, creating memorable and vibrant cities that foster a sense of place, community, and belonging. This study began as an inquiry into the nature of such urban spaces, which can also turn out to be urban components, where besides the analysis of physical form, some related topics are briefly touched upon that are necessary to look at the selected urban component in its totality.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAim\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIdentify the role of urban elements that become anchors and contribute to Imageability in Ahmedabad\u0026apos;s Residential neighborhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eObjectives\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eTo understand how people perceive imageability in neighbourhoods of Astodiya and Bopal.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eTo identify and analyse how key urban identified by Lynch play a role in imageability and understand the spatial scale of Imageability.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eResearch Questions\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eWhat is the role of urban elements in contributing towards imageability in residential neighbourhoods of Astodiya Chakla and Bopal in Ahmedabad?\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col start=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eHow does the spatial configuration of the two different residential built contexts in Ahmedabad define imageability?\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eScope \u0026amp; Limitations\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe research is focussed on non-gated residential neighbourhoods within the selected two areas.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col start=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe research will examine the neighborhood\u0026rsquo;s physical layout and urban elements using Lynch\u0026rsquo;s framework, where data collection would involve qualitative methods such as on-site observations, architectural documentation, and interviews to get an insight from the resident\u0026apos;s and visitors\u0026apos; perception of the neighborhood\u0026rsquo;s imageability.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis method of data collection may introduce subjectivity.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col start=\"3\"\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe study will not capture the full complexity of imageability by taking insights from socio-economic statistics, cultural diversity, or historical context, which might also influence perceptions and experience of one environment.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMethodology\u003c/h2\u003e"},{"header":"Background Study","content":"\u003cp\u003eIt is believed that locations in a context are generally identified by many objects from that context; their property of being recognized by some distinctive symbol system is important for creating distinct images. \u003cem\u003eThe visibility\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eimageability\u003c/em\u003e of an object become a prerequisite for an object to be a landmark. These two aspects are essentially required to catch people\u0026apos;s attention. But these two aspects depend on the physical or formal characteristics of the element, such as mass, texture, appearance, accessibility, location, and uniqueness.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLynch\u0026rsquo;s idea of Imageability\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVarious notions and theories exist to understand city structure and its elements. Scholars have conducted several research studies on different phenomena, such as behavioral, sociological, humanistic, and morphological. But only a few have studied \u0026apos;how people understand the city structure and organize themselves and behave in it\u0026apos;. One\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong them was Lynch, an eminent urban scholar who studied three American cities to find out how people \u0026apos;understand\u0026apos; and \u0026apos;perceive\u0026apos; a city, what the \u0026apos;types of elements help evoke city images, and through which they can perceive the city. In other words, he identified the elements of cities\u0026apos; physical structure, making them imageable. Therefore, he developed a method to study the cities\u0026rsquo; visual legibility and used it to investigate \u0026apos;how people look at their cities and What they mentally map\u0026apos; about their cities.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough Lynch\u0026rsquo;s study generated tremendous interest in the fields of architecture, planning, and environmental psychology, most subsequent studies exclusively focused on the visual and spatial dimensions of imageability and their use for wayfinding. (Lynch, 1960)himself studied only those two dimensions but clearly acknowledged the importance of place meanings in evoking place images.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIdentity\u003c/em\u003e: The ability to identify element of the city within the overall context.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eStructure\u003c/em\u003e: Spatial relationship or pattern between the elements within, elements and the observer, a whole context.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMeaning\u003c/em\u003e: Practical and emotional value to the observer. (Lynch, 1960)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is believed that creating the image of an environment is a two-way process, it is the result of an interaction between the observer and the environment in which he lives. The process involves how people perceive themselves and consider themselves as a part of an environment. It also reflects the influence of the environment and the observer. \u0026ldquo;Nothing is experienced by itself, but in relation to its surroundings, the sequences of events leading up to it\u0026rdquo; (Lynch, 1960).A core concept in his work is \u0026quot;\u003cem\u003elegibility\u003c/em\u003e,\u0026quot; which refers to the city\u0026apos;s ability to be easily understood and mentally mapped. \u0026nbsp;Lynch argued that a legible city facilitates wayfinding, enabling people to recognize and organize urban elements into a coherent framework.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe conceptual relationship between Imageability and Legibility\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheories behind how people perceive cities (imageability) and how easy they are to navigate (legibility) help us understand the connection between these concepts and related terms like landmarks and visibility. The conceptual diagram as shown in Figure 4 indicates the visual, structural, and semantic properties of landmarks that are significant in improving imageability, since the identification of landmarks is strongly influenced by memories of the past and semantic properties it is given more importance. While the visual, structural, and semantic qualities of landmarks also influence legibility, spatial configuration and layout complexity play a major role and are linked to structural attributes. Furthermore, visibility and legibility go hand in hand, with visibility levels determined by structural and visual characteristics.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNotion of Imageability\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor an environmental cue, feature, and/or location, the imageability depends on the presence or absence of either one or many physical attributes attached to it and their degree of strength and redundancy.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(Silva, 2019).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe physical imageable attributes include- Form, Perpetual Access, Use and Spatial Structure.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eForm\u003c/em\u003e-Contour, shape, or size (e.g. colour, texture, material, solid/ void, ornamentations, other details, graffiti signage) around or in an element.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePerpetual Access\u003c/em\u003e-Type of access, intensity of access, significance of access and proximity to prominent cues.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eUse\u003c/em\u003e- Use intensity, singularity, quality (quality of amenities and service) and use saliency (both latter notions are related to meanings)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSpatial structure\u003c/em\u003e \u0026ndash; shape of layout, its representation from outside (in the case of a building, interconnection density of pathways or corridors, physical and visual accessibility, inside-outside visible relationships, and pattern of circulation network) (Silva, 2019)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLynch distinguished all the forms and qualities that add to an urban environment\u0026apos;s visibility, coherence, clarity, and legibility, as well as the forms and attributes that emerge from its layout. (Tolue Silavi, 2017).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLynch\u0026rsquo;s legible qualities to evaluate an urban form are singularity, simplicity, continuity, dominance, clarity of intersections, directional differentiation, and visual scope. Two additional qualities are suggested \u0026lsquo;time series\u0026rsquo; and \u0026lsquo;names and meanings\u0026rsquo; that are nonphysical characteristics that enhance the imageability of a given urban element.\u0026nbsp;(Tolue Silavi, 2017)\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Findings","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCase Study 1: Astodiya Chakla\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStudy area: 200m x 200m.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAstodiya Chakla\u0026apos;s history as a traditional neighborhood offers a chance to explore how the area\u0026apos;s imageability has evolved alongside its development. Its historical context, mixed-use character, and potential for diverse path networks can lead to rich insights into how residents navigate and form mental maps of their surroundings. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCase Study 2: Bopal\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStudy area: 400m x 250m.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBopal has a diverse urban fabric; this provides an opportunity to study how edges are formed between these distinct zones. Bopal has the presence of low-density areas with similar architectural styles that could lead to a uniform environment that allows us to compare how residents form mental maps in contrasting environments.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAnalysis\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCase Study 1: Astodiya Chakla\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe parameters listed in Figure 6 are used to analyse the physical attributes and the spatial structure of this urban layout, this would also allow in identifying the elements that contribute to imageability in this neighbourhood.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSingularity/Differentiation\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this neighbourhood the street edge appears as a continuous wall, that creates singularity, and the built typology is same i.e., pol houses as shown in\u0026nbsp;Figure 10.The built typology reflects traditional patterns of living and community interaction. The fa\u0026ccedil;ade of the houses follows the traditional pol house architecture but have different elements in each building as shown in Figure 11 and Figure 12, features such as carved brackets, cornices, and projecting eaves contribute to the unique character of each building and contribute to the overall image of the neighborhood.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDominance\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dominance in Astodia is due to its built environment through its grain size, built mass, and building height, which contribute to the imageability of the area by creating a visually cohesive and memorable urban fabric.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fine grain size and substantial built mass\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablish a sense of enclosure (Refer to the built open diagram in Figure 14), which enhances the pedestrian experience. It encourages exploration and interaction within the neighborhood, while the low to medium-rise building height maintains a human-scale environment. The densely packed buildings contribute to a cohesive streetscape, with facades lining the streets and forming continuous building fronts, as shown in Figure 13.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eContinuity\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the built form in this neighborhood lacks setbacks (see Figure 15) and creates a continuous line along the street, resulting in visual continuity and defining the edge of the urban space, it establishes a cohesive streetscape, as shown in Figure 13.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe consistent alignment of building facades enhances the perception of continuity and reinforces the spatial boundaries of the neighborhood. It also contributes to a sense of coherence and legibility, making Astodia a distinct and memorable residential area. With\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003evarying building heights, most structures ranging from three to four stories tall and uniform width, there is a general uniformity in scale as well.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eClarity of Intersections\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAstodia features nodes or strategic points of convergence where streets intersect, creating important focal points within the neighborhood. These nodes often coincide and serve as visual landmarks. (See Figure 16)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese street edges help guide the eye towards the intersection, creating visual cues that reinforce the spatial organization of the neighborhood and facilitate wayfinding. By inviting mutual interaction between the occupants and visitors these geometrically clear building edges bring social cohesion to the urban environment.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArchitectural elements such as ornamental gateways, arches, or signage (as shown in\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eFigure 17)\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eare incorporated along street edges to enhance their visibility and emphasize the importance of the intersection as a focal point within the urban fabric.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSimplicity\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAstodia\u0026apos;s streets are created organically, in contrast to geometric grid layouts with repeating blocks. Unlike intricate grids, the streets radiate outward from center nodes (chowks), resulting in a pattern that is easier to understand (Refer Figure 18). Creating a more intuitive layout compared to complex grids, streets vary in width, allowing for natural expansions and contractions as compared to monotonous uniformity.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eClosed Vista\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe link between human scale and urban form raises the question of humans being able to understand the built world in their immediate surroundings. \u0026nbsp;The presence of closed vistas in Astodia\u0026apos;s residential area creates a sense of enclosure within the urban fabric, contributing to its distinctive character and imageability. By limiting long-range views and creating visually enclosed spaces, closed vistas promote pedestrian exploration and interaction within the neighborhood, as shown in Figure 19 and Figure 20\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eencouraging residents and visitors to engage with the built environment at a human scale.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eAn image is a mental construct composed of a collection of visual associations and information about the urban environment that is already known. The picture is developed by interaction rather than simply seeing the city. The elements that determine the image of an urban environment comprise the centers of human activity, man-made and natural landmarks, physical borders, and the simultaneous movement system. In cities that have grown slowly, the character of paths is built rather than applied. At Astodiya, specific types of elements function best at specific scales. On the one hand, the \u003cem\u003eotlas\u003c/em\u003e, the steps, the modest extensions of the plinths, etc., create an engaging edge while making the \u0026nbsp;surrounding edge is porous. On the other hand, an edge designed to accommodate both pedestrians and vehicles has a very different scale; the size of open volumes formed by individual buildings is more related to the present scale of the neighborhood and its users. Therefore, people\u0026rsquo;s participation in an urban environment is a multifaceted attribute that aids in determining whether the element is imageable. When the elements of visual pattern correspond to the elements of functional, physical, or social pattern, they become an important attribute that contributes to the overall image of the neighborhood.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaths:\u003c/strong\u003e The narrow, winding streets of Astodiya form a network of paths that encourage exploration and discovery. They serve as the primary means of movement and interaction within the neighborhood, guiding residents and visitors through its dense urban fabric.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEdges:\u003c/strong\u003e The continuous street edges, defined by the unbroken building lines and consistent building heights, act as strong boundaries that enclose the streets and create a sense of enclosure and intimacy. These edges delineate public and private spaces, contributing to the neighborhood\u0026apos;s legibility.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDistricts:\u003c/strong\u003e The consistent built typology and block size in Astodiya create distinct districts within the neighborhood. The homogeneous architecture, with its repetitive facades and similar scales, fosters a sense of visual cohesion and reinforces the identity of each district.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNodes:\u003c/strong\u003e The absence of setbacks and the resulting continuous building line contribute to forming nodes, or focal points, at street intersections and squares. These nodes serve as gathering spaces for social interaction and commercial activity, adding to the neighborhood\u0026apos;s vibrancy.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandmarks:\u003c/strong\u003e While Astodiya may lack prominent individual landmarks, the intricate details of individual facades, such as ornate balconies, carved wooden doors, and decorative elements, can serve as micro-landmarks. These details create a visually rich environment and add to the neighborhood\u0026apos;s charm\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome of the identified inferences also include:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33.3333%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParameters\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33.3333%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eObjectives\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33.3333%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFindings\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33.3333%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSingularity\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33.3333%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe difference might be noticeable in the immediate visible environment or in the observer\u0026apos;s perception. These qualities are what give an element its identity, making it stand out, memorable, vivid, and easily recognizable. As observers become more familiar with a place, they rely less on obvious physical connections to understand the whole and start to appreciate the contrasts and unique elements that make the scene more interesting.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33.3333%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe consistent building height and continuous street edge create a unified and visually cohesive streetscape where the street edge appears to be a continuous wall and creates singularity.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMultiple interactions along the fa\u0026ccedil;ade are possible. The building proportions and the scale of the architectural elements are human-centric allowing human interaction.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe uninterrupted row of buildings creates a strong sense of visual unity and rhythm along the street edge. This consistency in form and scale helps to define the character of the neighborhood\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33.3333%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContinuity\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33.3333%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe continuation of edges or surfaces (like a street channel, skyline, or setback), closeness of elements (like a group of buildings), repetition of rhythmic intervals (like a street-corner pattern), or similarity in surface, form, or use (like a common building material, recurring pattern of bay windows, similar market activity, or the use of consistent signage) - all these qualities help us see a complex environment as a unified whole or as interconnected parts. These are the qualities that contribute to a place having a distinct identity.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33.3333%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe continuous line of buildings creates a visually unified streetscape, enhancing the perception of continuity along the street. This cohesion is strengthened by the consistent building height and the alignment of the facades, which creates a sense of order. The continuous street edge seamlessly integrates various functions, such as residential, commercial.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe absence of setbacks creates a continuous building line along both sides of the street. This unbroken edge establishes a strong sense of visual cohesion and defines the street as a distinct public space.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe horizontal elements, such as the continuous roofline, balconies, and awnings, emphasize the linear nature of the street and contribute to the perception of continuity.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe buildings on both sides of the street maintain a relatively consistent height. This uniformity reinforces the visual continuity and creates a sense of order.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33.3333%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClarity of Intersection\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33.3333%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHigh visibility of connections and transitions (like at a major intersection or a seafront); clear relationship and connection (like a building to its site or a subway station to the street above). These connections are crucial points in the structure and should be easily noticeable.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33.3333%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn Astodiya the important street according to accessibility and density that people use for communal or other public uses becomes the node. Each building is getting a scope for having its own character the buildings are following the same built typology and the facade can have different elements which helps in having a different experience. A temple placed at an intersection can become a point of reference, a space that has cultural or social significance and allows people to gather becomes a node in this neighbourhood.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33.3333%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eForm Simplicity\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33.3333%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eClear and simple visible forms in a geometric sense, a limited number of parts (like in a grid system, a rectangle, or a dome). These kinds of forms are much easier to remember, and there\u0026apos;s evidence that people will simplify complex things into simpler forms, even if it means some inaccuracy. When we can\u0026apos;t see something all at once, its shape can be a distorted version of a simple form and still be easily understood.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33.3333%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe consistent built typology and block size in Astodiya contribute to its imageability by creating a clear, recognizable, and memorable image of the neighborhood. This image is reinforced by the rhythmic repetition of similar forms, the well-defined edges, and the identifiable districts. As people move through the neighborhood, they can easily orient themselves and understand the spatial layout, enhancing their sense of place and belonging. The organic and dense layout of Astodiya Chakla starkly contrasts with the more planned and grid-like structures often found in western Ahmedabad. The simplicity of the built environment allows the intricate details of individual facades to stand out. This creates a visually rich and engaging environment that is both legible and memorable.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33.3333%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDominance\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33.3333%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOne part can stand out over others due to its size, intensity, or interest, making the entire area perceived as a main feature with a group of connected elements. This quality, similar to continuity, allows for a simplified mental image by leaving out or combining details. Physical traits, as long as they\u0026apos;re noticeable at all, seem to spread their image in our minds from a central point.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33.3333%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe characteristics of this street with similar scale and proportion of the built and these mixed-use buildings with a shop and negotiated spaces with street vendors and other informal activities creates a dominant character that enhances the neighbourhood\u0026rsquo;s imageability.\u0026nbsp;Astodiya\u0026apos;s bustling street life, with small shops spilling onto sidewalks, stands out from the typically private facades of residential buildings and becomes a memorable element, potentially serving as a landmark.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33.3333%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVisual Scope\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33.3333%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eQualities that enhance our ability to see farther and deeper, whether in reality or through suggestion. These include transparent elements (like glass or buildings on stilts), overlaps (where structures are seen behind others), vistas and panoramas that expand our field of vision (as seen on straight streets, open spaces, or high viewpoints curving street) area ahead, or details hinting at something nearby).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33.3333%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe presence of closed vistas in Astodia\u0026apos;s residential area creates a sense of enclosure within the urban fabric, contributing to its distinctive character and imageability. By limiting long-range views and creating visually enclosed spaces, closed vistas promote pedestrian exploration and interaction within the neighborhood, with the built environment at a human scale.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAr. Anushree Shaju wrote the manuscript Prof. Pooja Raval was involved in curating the research, formulating structure, guidance and supervision\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAcknowledgment\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe acknowledge the faculty and review members of Institute of Architecture and Planning, Nirma University for guiding the study and providing positive feedback\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFunding Information \u0026nbsp;\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an academic undergraduate project, and no funding was received for the same\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eAbeynayake, T. M. (2022). Imageability and legibility: cognitive analysis and visibility assessment in Galle heritage city. \u003cem\u003eJournal of Architecture and Urbanism\u003c/em\u003e, 123-136.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eGehl, J. (2010). \u003cem\u003eCities for Peope.\u003c/em\u003e Washington DC: Island Press.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eJagganath, T. (2019, 02 17). \u003cem\u003ePlanning Tank.\u003c/em\u003e Retrieved from https://planningtank.com/blog/influence-on-urban-planning-kevin-lynch\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eLynch, K. (1960). \u003cem\u003eImage of the City.\u003c/em\u003e MIT Press.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eSilva, K. D. (2019). The City Imageability: A framework for defining urban heritage dimensions. \u003cem\u003eResearchGate\u003c/em\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eSonia, J. (2018). City Branding and the Tourist Gaze: City Branding for Tourism Development. \u003cem\u003eEuropean Journal of Social Science Education and Research\u003c/em\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eTolue Silavi, F. H. (2017). The Legibility and Permeability of Cities:Examining the Role of Spatial Data and Metrics. \u003cem\u003eInternational Journal of Geo-Information\u003c/em\u003e, 20.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Imageability, Kevin Lynch, Legibility, Spatial legibility, Ahmedabad","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5415645/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5415645/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eCities have been primarily identified with the identical character and memory that the built landscape offers. The research aims to identify the spatial dimensions and structural elements that qualitatively evaluate urban forms contributing to imageability by examining how residents perceive their neighborhoods, including physical elements and social interactions. In Ahmedabad\u0026rsquo;s case, the residential neighborhoods in the east and west have remarkably contrasting built and social environments. The research contributes to the evolved ideas of legibility and way-finding in the contemporary discourses of Indian cities through qualitative research with identified cases.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Navigating the Cityscape: Role of Urban Elements in Imageability of Residential neighbourhoods, Case of Ahmedabad","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2024-12-17 10:21:59","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5415645/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"03d4f9d0-f0e2-4c3a-8b9e-27a80d4b9e38","owner":[],"postedDate":"December 17th, 2024","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-01-16T14:53:55+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2024-12-17 10:21:59","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-5415645","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-5415645","identity":"rs-5415645","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"7rjqhiLT3MXkJMwkYKINL","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}