PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF URBAN SPACES

Abstract

Urban spaces are the public spaces (open or semi open) framed by buildings with in an urban settlement. Urban spaces create that image of the city which always remains in visitor's mind. The image of an urban space is a result of not only its built form (massing, form, facades, and character of the buildings) and enclosed space but also the activities that are held in that space. But today's urban spaces in cities do not convey a sense of place, have poorer visual and aesthetics quality, they lack of strong architectural character, with which they can be associated. This requires a deep study into the various aspects of aesthetics of urban space. Creation of the visual chaotic urban spaces can be avoided through the proper knowledge factors influence the perception of urban space & aesthetics and visual quality of the total built space. In perception of an urban space, the role and background of the perceiver becomes equally important as the visual physiology and characteristics of built form in the perception urban space. Therefore, there is a need to know how people perceive an urban space and the significance of built forms and its visual and aesthetic quality in the perception of an urban space need to analyzed from the point of view of users. This thesis is an attempt to understand the various factors which affect the perception of built environment through various case studies (from literature and live case studies) and public opinion about the selected case studies. Analysis of the public opinion, and framing out the most important indicators through various indicators.