Examining Urban Landscapes: Corresponding the Architectural Layout of High-Rise Urban Spaces with People's Visual Perceptions
In a groundbreaking study, researchers have used eye-tracking technology to examine the impact of classic design principles on people's appreciation of streetscapes in high-rise urban environments. The study, conducted in a laboratory setting, involved 31 participants viewing photographs of 15 existing streetscapes in high-rise environments.
The research, published in the Frontiers journal, found that classic urban design qualities such as imageability, enclosure, human scale, transparency, and complexity significantly influence visual attention and appreciation in these contexts. Eye-tracking data showed that these design factors help guide observers' gaze, enhancing walkability and positive perception even amid dense tall buildings.
The study utilized Visual Attention Software version 8.1 and a Tobii x2-30 compact bar eye-tracker to objectively measure where and how long viewers focused their attention. The images were presented in a slideshow format for 5 seconds each, and Sony WH1000XMS3 headphones with noise-cancelling were used to minimize noise.
The images presented were of streetscapes in high-rise environments, and the study found that streetscapes adhering to classic design elements receive more sustained and focused visual engagement from pedestrians. This suggests that incorporating these principles can improve urban experiences by making dense environments feel more welcoming and legible.
The five qualities identified as essential to urban walkability and appreciation are:
- Imageability: The ease with which a scene can be recognized and remembered.
- Enclosure: The sense of boundaries provided by buildings and street elements.
- Human scale: Design elements sized for human interaction and comfort.
- Transparency: The visual permeability of building fronts.
- Complexity: The variety and richness of visual stimuli.
These qualities help counteract the anonymity and impersonal scale often associated with high-rise urban environments. The study's findings align with previous research using eye-tracking to observe visual engagement with urban design, providing empirical validation of the effects of classic design principles on pedestrian appreciation and engagement.
As cities like Amsterdam continue to grow, with the population expected to increase by 20 percent and housing stock set to rise by 10 percent in the next 15 years, these findings take on added significance. By incorporating classic design principles into large-scale (re)development projects, cities can create more inviting, engaging, and legible urban spaces that enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
In the realm of health-and-wellness, the study's findings could potentially influence urban planning and design, promoting fitness-and-exercise by designing cities that are more inviting and legible. Furthermore, data-and-cloud-computing techniques, such as eye-tracking technology, play a significant role in understanding this impact, providing valuable insights that could be applied to future smart city development.
