THE URBAN DESIGN ELEMENTS SEEN IN THE CITY
The Image of a City and its Elements by Kevin Lynch
City images are a collection of individual images that are shared by a significant number of
citizens. These collective images are necessary for an individual to operate successfully
within their environment and cooperate with others. Each individual picture is unique and
may have rare or non-communicative content, but it approximates the public image, which is
more compelling and embracing in different environments. The analysis of city images limits
itself to the effect of physical, perceptible objects, but also considers other influences on
imageability, such as the social meaning of an area, its function, history, or name. The content
of city images can be classified into five types of elements: paths, edges, districts, nodes, and
landmarks.
Elements of a City
1. Path- Paths are the channels through which an observer moves, such as streets,
walkways, transit lines, canals, or railroads. For most people, these are the primary
elements in their image. They observe the city while moving through it, and along these
paths, other environmental elements are organized and related. For many people, paths
are the predominant element in their image.
Example: Session Road, Baguio City
Characteristics: Sidewalk, Tree Lane, Transportation System or Travel Lane
2. Edges- Edges are line elements that are not considered a path by the observer. They are
boundaries between phases, line breaks in continuity, and may be lateral references
rather than coordinated axes. Edges can be barriers, more or less penetrable, or seams,
lines, or lines that connect and join regions. These elements, although not necessarily
directing paths, are important for people's organization, particularly in the role of holding
onto generalized areas or the exterior of a city by wall or fence. Edges may be barriers,
seams, or lines that separate regions or connect them together.
Example: Kennon Road
Characteristics: Rugged Terrain which encludes the hard topograhy that creates a
barrier or Boundary separating the City and the Mountainous Area.
3. Districts- The physical characteristics that determine districts are; texture, space, form,
detail, symbol, building type, use, activity, inhabitants, degree of maintenance,
topography. Districts are the medium-to-large sections of a city, consisting of two-
dimensional areas that the observer mentally enters and recognizes as having common,
identifiable character. They are often used for external reference or identification if
visible from the outside. Most people structure their city in this way, with individual
differences and dominating elements depending on the city rather than individuality.
Example: Business Districts (Session Road and Burnham Park)
Characteristics: Buildings, Pedestrians or sidewalks, Transportation Centers, Green
spaces which includes man-made factors and natural factors examples are trees, plants, and
such, street layout.
4. Nodes- Nodes are strategic spots in a city where an observer can enter and observe the
intense focus of the event. They can be junctions, places of transportation, or
concentrations, focusing on specific uses or physical characteristics. Some nodes are
focal points or district epitoms, while others are cores. Node concepts relate to path, with
junctions being convergent paths and cores being intense focal points. Nodes can be
referred to as the intersections of paths or the focal points within a city, such as squares,
plazas, or transportation hubs. In any event , some nodal points are to be found in almost
every image , and in certain cases they may be the dominant feature.
Example: Baguio Public Market
Characteristics: Key node where locals and tourists converge to buy products,
physical characteristics include signages, Accessibility, Public Amenities, Market Stalls and
Structures
5. Landmarks- Landmarks are external point-references, usually defined by physical
objects like buildings, signs, stores, or mountains. They are used to distinguish between
different elements from a host of possibilities. Some landmarks are distant, seen from
many angles and distances, while others are local, visible only in restricted locations and
from certain approaches. Examples include towers, gold domes, and green hills. Mobile
points, like the sun, can also be used. Other landmarks are local, such as signs, store
fronts, trees, doorknobs, and urban derail. They often use clues of identity and structure,
and are increasingly relied upon as a journey becomes more familiar.
Example: The Mansion, Baguio City
Characteristics: A reconizable Structure or Building in Baguio City
