Townscape Appraisal

Prepared by Safraa Abdul Jabar, August 2012

PROJECT 3: TOWNSCAPE APPRAISAL
1 WEEKS (10%)
Project 3 aims to introduce the students to Townscape
Appraisal, what does it constitute of and hence the
significance of context in design. It is also to instil in the
students the necessity of observing and to help develop
their sensitivity to surroundings. It is very important for the
students to maintain a sketchbook at all times so they could
record their emotional experience, quality of views, spaces
and fabric that form the city or context. Their sketches and
photographs must be complemented with annotations.

The project starts with a lecture input on Townscape
Appraisal followed by a trip to Bandaraya Bersejarah
Melaka. On site, the students will be divided into groups of
3-4 where each group will be assigned with one street and
they are expected to do appraisal individually. Every student
should have a map not just for way finding but also to help
them identify their route and area(s) of study.

Back in the studio, each student is expected to creatively
produce an A1 format of a composition of a map of the
studied street with sketches and annotations extracted from
the sketchbook and some photographs. They will present
their appraisal individually and submit the sketchbook
during the presentation.
OBJECTIVES:

To develop an interest in and understanding of built environment.
To record their observation and experience in a sketchbook.
To explore various design theories and philosophy.
To explain their work to a critical audience.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
1 A1 format presentation sheet of the map with sketches and some
photographs. Annotations are MUST.
1 A4 format sketchbook with the students name and matric no.
Loose sheets of drawings will not be accepted
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:


A1 format presentation sheet of Townscape
Appraisal
-Assessment based on critical thinking,
understanding of
theories and use of design language.

(60%)
Sketchbook (30%)
Verbal Presentation (10%)
Maximum mark for Late Submissions is C!!

Purpose of Data Collection in Urban Design

To study characteristic of an urban context
To understand the underlying reasons contributing
to its existing form
To assist in designing for future

PERCEPTUAL SURVEY
METHODS
MORPHOLOGICAL SURVEY
BEHAVIOURAL
SURVEY
VISUAL SURVEY TOWNSCAPE APPRAISAL
TOWNSCAPE APPRAISAL
ATTRIBUTES

1. Looking at content and fabric
2. Sensory point of view
3. Experience of moving around
4. Relationship between elements
5. Poetically investigate absorb the 6 senses

Best described in
sketches & photos

SKETCHES
Personal interpretation of
a place
(might be inaccurate)
PHOTOS
Actual thing
(almost accurate)
Sketches & photos are done on a
map/ maps
Indicate point or area of subject


1. CONTENT AND FABRIC

Content of townscape
Buildings, structures, trees, street furnitures

Note down reactions to colors, shapes, smell, intricateness and richness of details
2. SENSORY POINT OF VIEW

Quality of views
















Record the discipline of an arrangement that formed a view (symmetrical/axial/etc)
Are the views interesting/ obstructive?

Assess the degree of the sense of enclosure by observing minimum, medium, maximum
(street views, open space such as square)
3. EXPERIENCE OF MOVING AROUND

Record journey throughout an urban context















Entranceway to a township how does it look like? Any landmark?
Places of interest activities happening at which point/area
Describe distance sketch on map
Means of movement vehicle/pedestrian
Rate of movement flow & volume of crowd

4. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ELEMENTS

Five elements that people use to structure a city
(Kevin Lynch)





Path

Roads, foot walkway, canals, rivers, railway
Accessible to observers and users

District


A district characterized by uniqueness, activities, architecture, socio-cultural
(by visual observation)
Edges


Perceived boundaries such as walls, buildings, and shorelines
Linear elements that divides two areas

Nodes


Focal points, spots of concentration by activities, intersections of movements
Involves participation of users
Eg: roundabouts, junctions, a square, a bus station

Landmarks

Vertical elements that are visible to the observer (obelisk, tower, arch etc)
An aid to orientate oneself in a town (entry point/central town)
(by visual observation)
Non-vertical elements called as place markers instead of landmarks
Eg: shopping mall, unique landscaping
(Accessible to observers and users)


5. POETICALLY INVESTIGATE ABSORB THE 6 SENSES



The 6 senses
SIGHT
SMELL
HEARING
TASTE
TOUCH


INTUITION


Ones experience
Can only be studied when
one is present in an urban
context,
Cant be described in
photos/sketches

Example: Sketches

Example: Sketches
Example: Sketches
Example: Sketches
Example: Sketches
Example: Sketches
Example: Sketches
Example: Mapping

Example: Mapping

Example: Mapping

Example: Mapping

Example: Photos Collage

Example: Photos Collage

Example: Photos Collage
Reference
TECHNIQUE FOR DATA COLLECTION & SITE ANALYSIS IN URBAN DESIGN Suhana Samsuddin , 2006
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_A._Lynch