The image of the city at night

By Diana Del-Negro

Supervisors:

Dr. Kevin Mansfield

Mr. Peter Raynham

2010-2015

This study explores how the image of the city (Kevin Lynch, 1960) is affected at night by artificial lighting. It is hypothesized that at night the hierarchies and the legibility of the main urban elements may be transformed, eventually affecting the ability to correctly navigate through an urban environment. 

The general methodology devised by Lynch is being replicated in the cities of London and Lisbon with an added night-time dimension. This includes performing night-time tasks and field measurements to assess the lighting conditions.

It is expected that the results of this work can provide references for the development of lighting masterplans and help to improve urban legibility and wayfinding.