The visual dimension

Architecture and urban design are among the very few truly inescapable – and,therefore, public art forms.

urban design does notafford such a choice “in theirdaily activities, people mustpass through and experiencethe public parts of the cityenvironment”.

While observers can choose whether or not to experience art, literatureand music,

Aesthetic appreciation has socially and culturally learnt components that go beyond simpleexpressions of individual taste .

Aesthetic preferences:

Jack Nasar(1998) identified five attributes of “liked” environments”.

Disliked environments tended to have the opposites of these

Aesthetic preferences:

1. Naturalness :environment that are natural or where there is a predominance of natural over builtelements.

Aesthetic preferences:

2. Upkeep/ civilities : environment that appear to be looked after and care for.

Aesthetic preferences:

3. Openness: the blending of defined open space with panoramas and vistas of pleasantelement.

Aesthetic preferences:

4. Historical significance/content: Fragrant history

Aesthetic preferences:

5. order : in terms of organization, coherence, legibility, clarity.

Urban experience:

As our experience of urban environment is a dynamic activity involving movement andtime, the urban experience of moving through space is an important part of the visualdimension of urban design.

Serial vision:

Gordon Cullen (1961) conceived the concept of “serial vision”.

He said :

Urban experience is one of a series of revelations, with delight and interest being stimulated by contrasts.

Gordon Cullen (1961) saw particular significance in the tensionbetween “hereness” and “thereness”

He considered : the urban environment should be designed

from the point of view of the moving person.

Serial vision:

Cullen work showing how movement can beread as a pictorial sequence.

He showed how our perception of timepassing and distance travelled differs fromreality.

Serial vision:

The development of new modes of travelhas provided additional ways of seeing,engaging with and forming mental images ofurban environments:

• seen at different speeds

•With different levels of focus

•The pedestrian viewpoint is accompaniedby the freedom to stop and engage withone’s surroundings.

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