The Image of the City

"The Image of the City" is a concept introduced by urban planner Kevin Lynch to describe how people perceive and navigate urban environments. It emphasizes five key elements: paths (routes people travel), edges (boundaries that define areas), districts (distinct sections of a city), nodes (important focal points), and landmarks (recognizable objects or structures). Together, these elements shape a city's identity and influence how residents and visitors understand and relate to their surroundings, ultimately affecting their experience and engagement with the urban space.