WEEK+03+-+Kevin+Lynch+and+Urban+Form

Handout on the five elements of urban form according to American urban planner and designer, Kevin Lynch.

Reference: Lynch, Kevin. //The Image of the City//. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1960.

Video of Kevin Lynch explaining the five elements of urban form: @http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuWPCNIj_rA&feature=related


 * Cognitive mapping and maps **


 * Cognitive mapping** may be defined as a process composed of a series of psychological transformations by which an individual acquires, codes, stores, recalls, and decodes information about the relative locations and attributes of phenomena in their everyday spatial environment.

Source: Downs RM, Stea D. "Cognitive Maps and Spatial Behavior: Process and Products". In Downs RM, Stea D. (Eds.) Image and Environment, Aldine Publishing Company, Chicago (1973:8-26) > In more general terms, a **cognitive map** may be defined as "an overall mental image or representation of the space and layout of a setting", which means that the act of **cognitive mapping** is "the mental structuring process leading to the creation of a cognitive map".

Reference: Wayfinding: People, Signs, and Architecture Arthur P, Passini R. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson (1992)

Extensive definitions and resources about cognitive mapping and maps: @http://intraspec.ca/cogmap.php