The role of light in shaping the imaginative city

Lucio Cavallari, November 2023

Creating a mental map of the city is a complex cognitive process involving individual perception and spatial relationships. Urban theorist Kevin Lynch introduced the concept of “imageability,” emphasising the power to evoke a clear mental image of the urban environment. He views the public image as an amalgamation of individual images held by subsets of the city’s inhabitants, forming the foundation for successful navigation and cooperation. Social meaning, function, history, and even names influence imageability. The interplay between these factors creates a rich and nuanced mental map, reflecting the intricate tapestry of human experiences within the city 1.

In this context, light becomes pivotal for the cityscape’s legibility through its influence on a multitude of factors, including ambient illumination, visual discrimination, illumination hierarchy, flow of light, sharpness of lighting, and luminous elements. The perceived brightness of a space profoundly impacts our understanding of the urban environment.

Ambient illumination not only shapes the overall impression of a space but also determines its visibility2. Visual discrimination, the ability to recognise and distinguish details, is integral to creating a clear mental map of the city and becomes particularly important when giving or following directions.

Illumination hierarchy can guide our perception by varying light intensities, contributing to a structured and memorable cityscape. Imagine a city square with decorative streetlights or architectural lighting features focused on a central statue. The brighter illumination at this location creates a visual hierarchy, signalling to pedestrians that this area holds significance or serves as a gathering point. Simultaneously, the surrounding areas, such as pedestrian walkways or adjacent buildings, might have lower-intensity lighting. This contrast in illumination levels not only guides pedestrians toward the focal point but also contributes to the overall aesthetics of the urban environment. The potential of lighting to produce distinct shading patterns creates a sense of continuity 3, influencing how we navigate and experience urban spaces.

The sharpness of lighting enhances the clarity of architectural features, only if suitable objects are present, aiding in the legibility of the city by sharply defining highlight and shadow patterns 4. Luminous elements, strategically placed, serve as focal points, contributing to the overall visual hierarchy of the urban environment.

Together, these elements orchestrate a dynamic interplay of light, significantly impacting the legibility and overall experience of the cityscape. Thoughtful ambient lighting in public spaces, streets, and landmarks facilitates crafting a distinct and memorable mental map for city navigation. This strategic planning considers variations in illumination between adjacent areas or spaces seen sequentially5 .

In conclusion, light emerges as a dynamic and influential force in shaping the mental map of the city. Through concepts such as ambient illumination, visual discrimination, and the careful orchestration of lighting in public spaces, streets, and landmarks, urban environments can be designed to be more legible and memorable. The interplay between these factors reflects the intricate tapestry of human experiences within the city and contributes to a more vivid and engaging mental representation of the cityscape.

  1. Lynch, K. The image of the city. The MIT Press. (1960). 46 ↩︎
  2. Cuttle, C. Lighting by Design. Routledge. (2007). 51 ↩︎
  3. Cuttle, C. Lighting by Design. Routledge. (2007). 83 ↩︎
  4. Cuttle, C. Lighting by Design. Routledge. (2007). 99 ↩︎
  5. Cuttle, C. and Routledge . Lighting design : a perception-based approach. London ; New York: Routledge. (2015)29 ↩︎