A Comprehensive Approach to the Assessment of Visual Consistency in Townscape
Dheyaa Hussein*, Peter Armstrong
- ¹Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning, University of Sydney, Australia
Published in The First NZAAR International Event Series on Natural and Built Environment, Cities, Sustainability and Advanced Engineering, Putrajaya, Malaysia, 26 June 2016, pages 127 to 129. New Zealand Academy of Applied Research. ISSN 2463-5979 (online), 2463-5960 (print).
Abstract
This paper provides a theoretical framework for the establishment of an arithmetic tool for evaluating visual consistency in order to tackle the phenomenon of visual disorder in contemporary townscapes. Visual consistency refers to the amount of similarity between townscape components. The paper explores parameters of visual consistency in townscape. It uses arithmetic methods to enable the establishment of an objective method of assessment which depends on the visual perception of users. The paper identifies urban space as a critical factor and focuses on its geometric variables in the evaluation of visual consistency of townscape. The proposed quantitative assessment is based on users' preferences towards these variables as well as the position of observers in townscape. This approach underpins the likelihood of expert's subjective assessment and permits the establishment of a unified framework which achieves a higher level of consistency and satisfaction among the citizens of evolving townscapes.
Keywords: Townscape; Urban Design; Urban Space; Visual Assessment; Visual Consistency
Rights
Copyright © New Zealand Academy of Applied Research Ltd 2016. All rights reserved. Reproduced in the GDI Academy archive from the original proceedings without change to the authors’ text.