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Urban Square and Image of the City

(An examination of its qualitative attributes with special reference to sense of place)

A dissertation submitted to the University of Moratuwa as a partial fulfillment of Requirement for the
degree of Master of Science in Architecture

W.S. Amarakoon
Department of Architecture
University of Moratuwa IS 155
April 2002
University of Moratuwa

78155
Abstract

City designing is temporal art. It gets its rhythm from physical and social environment. Physical
environment is creation of architecture. Architecture can define as the "art of spaces" It
suggests human capacity to use their intellect and natural instinct to organize spaces around
him for better way of life.

Place become an important feature with in urban space. Urban Square is one of the important
places within monotonous urban context, which is very busy and restless. It brakes the
monotony and becomes memorable element in the city. This has strength to bound city as one
entity.

Climax of dramatic event of city environment placed at the urban square. Because it has strong
visual impact on the visitor. Spatial character of the urban square emphasis the fabric of city,
color, texture, scale, style, character, personality and uniqueness. The urban square becomes
a "place" which contains spirit of the whole city.

As such urban square becomes a physical object, which gives high probability of evoking
strong image of a city any observer. Its dramatic situation of architecture facilitates vividly
identified, powerfully structured, highly useful mental image.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Archt. Raveen Gunerathne, Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa for the


continuous guidance, comments in the formulation of this study,

Archt. Madura Premathilaka, and Dr R. Emmanuel Department of Architecture, University of


Moratuwa for their comments and criticisms at the initial stage of this study,

To Dissanayeka ayya for reading and correcting the draft of the essay, comment guidance
through out the study,

Specials thanks to Nileeka, Dilmini and Charmalee for their help through out this study and
encouragement,

Last but not least my dear Nayana who guide and encourage me in what ever I want to do and
encourage me in caring my studies to become success,

Finally with heart felt gratitude to my Amma and family for all their support.
List of Figures

Fig 1 : M a p Of R o m e

Fig 2: I m a g e of a city (City of the red see)

Fig 3: M a i n S q u a r e at S a l a m a n e a

Fig 4 : S a n t a c o r e c e , F l o r e n c e .

Fig 5: P i a z z a N a v o n a , R o m e .

Fig 6: P l a n of P i a z z a della S i g n o r i a

Fig 7: P i a z z a S a n M a t t e o , Italy.

Fig 8: T h e D u o m o , F l o r e n c e .

Fig 9: Galle F a c e G r e e n , C o l o m b o .

Fig 10: A m o s q u e (City of the red see)

Fig 1 1 : St. P e t e r s , R o m e .

Fig 12: M i n a r e t s act as l a n d m a r k s , Y e m e n .

Fig 13: P i a z z a o f S a n M a r c o , V e n i c e .

Fig 14: P i a z z a of S a n M a r c o , V e n i c e .

Fig 15: P l a n of pizza del C a m p o , S i e n a .

Fig 16: St. M a r k e ' s S q u a r e , V e n i c e .

Fig 17: T h e arial v i e w of P r a g u e .

Fig 18: St. M a r i a Del Flore in F l o r e n c e .

Fig 19: T h e G r a n d axis. Paris.

Fig 2 0 : Serial vision a n d spatial p r o g r e s s i o n ( c a s e b o o k )

Fig 2 1 : spatial p r o g r e s s i o n at M a r i n e Drive, C o l o m b o .

Fig 2 2 : D w e l l i n g unit, A f r i c a .

Fig 2 3 : S a n G i o r g i o M a g g i o r e , V e n i c e .

Fig 2 4 : P i a z z a S a n M a r c o , Venice.

Fig 2 5 : P i a z z a S a n Pietro, R o m e .

Fig 2 6 : H o u s e at Iberian Village.

Fig 2 7 : C a p i t o l i n e S q u a r e , R o m e

Fig 2 8 : O p e n c o u r t within St. M a r k e ' s , V e n i c e .

Fig 2 9 : P i a z z a St. M a r k e ' s , V e n i c e .

Fig 3 0 : V i e w of City F l o r e n c e .

Fig 3 1 : Arial v i e w of S p a n i s h s t e p s

Fig 3 2 : St. Peters R o m e .

Fig 3 3 : T h e T r e v i f o u n t a i n , Italy.
Fig 34: St. Marke's Square, Venice.
Fig 35: Sky scrappers at Chicago.
Fig 36: A Urban Square
Fig 37: Piazza del Campo, Siena.
Fig 38: Arial view of Lucca, Italy.
Fig 39: A city in Yemen.
Fig 40: Monument in a fountain. Italy.
Fig 41: Spanish steps, Rome.
Fig 42: Plan of Piazza del Popolo, Rome.
Fig 43: Spanish steps, Rome.
Fig 44:1 Piazza Ducal, Italy. y.
Fig 45: Arial view of Seiana.
Fig 46: An alleyway through residential area. Italy.
Fig 47: Fountain at Italy.
Fig 48: Castel St. Angelo , Rome .
Fig 49: Echelon Square
Fig 50: Gall face Green
Fig 51: Fort railway station
Fig 52: Spatial progression to gall Face Green
Fig 53: Lake Beira and surrounding buildings
Fig 54: Views and Vistas of Beira
Fig 55: Beira and surrounding context
CONTENTS

Abstract i
Acknowledgement ii
List of Figures iii
Introduction
Topic explanation viii
Architectural problem viii
The need of the Study ix
Aims and Objectives x
Methodology x
Scope and Limitations xi
Chapter One
City Design and importance of Urban Square in a city Image 1

1.1 Definition of Urban Square and Image 2


+ 1.1.1 The Form of the Square 3
1.1.2 The Portal of the Square 5
1.1.3 Hierarchy of Square in the City 5
1.1.4 The Openess of a Urban Square 6
1.1.5 Determinant factors of image of the city 7
1.2 Urban Square and imageability in cityscape 7
1.2.1 Skyline 8
1.2.2 Views 9
1.2.3 Vistas 9
1.3 Internal Pattern in a city 10
1.4 City Form and Expression 11
1.4.1 Unity 12
1.4.2 Scale and Proportions 13
1.4.3 Rhythm, Harmony and Contrast 14
1.4.4 Order 15
1.5 Serial Vision and Urban Square 15
Chapter Two
Significance of Place in Urban design
2.1 Concept of Place
2.1.1 Place and Space
2.1.2 Place and Time
2.1.3 Place making
2.1.4 Place and Image
2.1.5 Psychological dimensions
2.2 Meaning of Place in Urban Context
2.3 Urban Square as a Place
2.3.1 Identity
2.3.2 Uniqueness
2.3.3 Physical need
2.3.4 Symbolic need
2.3.5 Visual need
2.4 Placelessness of the Urban context

Chapter Three
Urban Square as Place and its contribution to image of City
3.1 Urban Quality and Image
3.1.1 Fabric and Object
3.1.2 Legibility
3.1.3 Imaginable Structures
3.2 Urban Square, Spirit of Place and Image
3.2.1 Locational attributes of urban square
3.2.2 Solid and void ratio
3.2.3 Sense of wholeness
3.3 City Image and Architectural character of a Urban Square
3.3.1 Scale and Proportions
3.3.2 Permeability 40
3.3.3 Structure within the square 40
3.4 Image of a city and its importance 41

3.5 Urbanization in Sri Lanka 42


3.5.1 Urban Square and image of the city 42

Conclusion 45
Bibliography 47
Introduction
Topic explanation

Urban design could be explained as the art of building cities. This is a built environment created
by man to fulfil his aspirations and represents his valves.

"Urban design likes its sister art architecture, is a people use of an accumulated technological
knowledge to control and adapt the environment for social, economic, political religious
requirements" (Moughtin. C1992:12)

Design of city is based on architecture. Architecture provides meanings beyond physical


attributes. Such attributes are experiences gain through the created spaces. Meaning of a city
reflects through the architectural language.

Considering city as a space. Urban Square becomes a place that gathered meaning of the city.
It communicates with observer by using language of architecture.

In communicating aspect image of the city become important concept of city designing. When a
person pays a visit to a city and he gains vivid experience of the city. A person would be get
mental images of the whole city as one unit within urban square. That is by the sounds,
breezes, memorable structures, textured and colors.

Considering all these this dissertation is discuss and analysis of the fundamentals of urban
square which become a place within monotones and placeless situation within a city and
express the image of the city which Kevin Lynch discussed as important first principle of city
designing.

Architectural problem

On the urban level some structures are determine by man through his activities and
interactions with the man made environment. Architecture is 'place making' process. It creates
a place to have sense of place and sense of identity.
The task of architect as city designer is to understand and express in built forms the needs and
aspirations of the city. And at the same time it should be culturally acceptable.

Urban square as a place in a city it is important to give image of the city. Architectural aspect is
to give priorities to achieve sense of place and character of place. This leads to reflect image of
the city by the urban square.

Understanding and reflect the meaning of urban place is a requirement of urban imageability.
So that the architectural task is to achieve urban place to responses to human feelings and
senses.

Urban square as a place it should capture the 'spirit of whole urban space to give meaningful
image. This convinces the importance of the place making capacity of architecture and make
townscape for man.

The need of the study

In growing complexities of the society architect interpret the true valve of it. It's capability in
proving more than mere places for daily functions and aesthetic contribution. Place making in
urban context is one of the important role that architecture plays. This place should capture the
whole meaning and spirit of the city and reflect the image of the city.

Changing attitudes and valves of the society obstruct the creation of place. Placelessness of
the city causes loss the identity, strong image and legibility in the city.

Importance in architecture in urban place making is a strong media. Through this deep and
meaningful experiences can be presented to the society. Since it strongly bound social rhythm
and cultural structure.

Considering the present situation of urban context, which have lost their image and identity.
The researcher feels that effort should be taken to avoid such deterioration by using urban
square as a place in urban context. In this sense architecture is creator of place that have deep
meaningful image of the city.
Aims and Objectives

The primary aim of this study is to examine the urban square as a place and the relationship
between image of the city as spatial quality related with architecture. This study emphasizes
importance of application of urban square and image of the city.

When considering the present situation of modern cities 'place in urban context' and 'image of
the city' are only notations. It is also an intention of this study to clarify that. It is hoped that
such clarification will useful to actual applications and creating better urban place for people.

To study an urban square and architectural details capturing the image of the city is another
aim. This is by studying historic situations which people experienced and capturing the quality
of place with in urban squares and reflection of image of the city.

Author identified details are in architectural literal and observations contemporary urban space
is lack of image and sense of place within the context is minimized. Unplanned senseless
development is main culprit of the loss of sense of place.

Considering Sri Lanken urban situation loss of place due to unauthorized developments and
wrong decisions taken by in urban planning. In this sense architect has to adopt modern
technology that has never known architecture. And the physical development has over ridden.
There by study these situations potential for develop urban squares to give sense of place and
image is another aspect.

Methodology

Concept of urban square is boned physical aspect of urban context. It is a 'place' that gives
image of the city. Considering the idea will be intangible and there for it will based on
theoretical hypothesis. Following method is established to emphasize image of the city by using
the urban square.
1. Examination of the idea of urban situation and special characters.
2. To exploration the idea of urban square as a place and analyze the qualities of it. The
analysis is based on architectural language and way it uses to make a place with in
monotones urban context.

3. Identification of the qualities, which establish a strong, image creating by the place and its
qualities.

4. Analysis of the image of the place and its effect on to the whole cityscape as 'image of the
city'.

5. Suggestion of importance to have image of the city by using urban square and its
qualitative attributes as a place.

Theoretical ideologies used in establishing hypothetical ideas. The main object of this study is
to analyze popular historical events.

Scope and limitations

Architecture creates spaces of different characters and different features. Urban Square
becomes a place with in an urban space. Such occasions are can see many features. One
such aspect is the image of the city. The scope of this dissertation is to study this quality. And
its existence as an attribute of a place and its spirit. Examples carried out within the study
emphasis its relevant applications.

Attention is focussed on the urban square, since it act as the main space or the spirit of a city
and it is the space where image of the city is carried out. Image of a city is intangible quality.
This can be understood theoretical background and descriptions. In-depth study of the urban
square and image of the city was carried out, where it was brought forward as more tangible,
cohesive experience of a place. It can not be fully fledged unless it was made understood by
relevance applications in realistic terms.
Traditional method of place making was considered as good examples of successful
applications of square, which carried spirit of place and reflects the image of the city. This
would compare with contemporary urban context.

Within these limitations it should be mentioned that the purpose of study to analyze deeply into
real principles that might have existed in creating urban squares. The principles are only
sufficiently derived for the purpose of understanding the sensitive application of image of the
city.

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