The Image Of

The City

Presented by- Anurag Nayal

Mridul Gaur
 Content
About the author
1 2 Book review

Chapter summary/
Analysis 3 4 Conclusion
About the author Kevin A. Lynch
Kevin A. Lynch is a city planner and researcher who
studied the ways people perceive the places where they
live and work. Lynch wrote The Image of the City after
he conducted a year-long case study of Boston,
Massachusetts; Jersey City, New Jersey; and Los
Angeles, California. Lynch used land surveys and

1
resident interviews to understand the ways people
create mental maps of cities. Lynch's research
identified five major characteristics that help people
navigate cities. The characteristics are paths, edges,
districts, nodes, and landmarks.
 The Image of the City
The Image of the City is a book by Kevin Lynch that explores
Book Review
urban design and particularly the ways that residents perceive
cities. The book focuses on the ways people create mental
images of the cities where they work and live. Lynch argues that
cities not only exist in physical form but they also exist in the
minds of the average citizen. Lynch determines that every person
creates their own unique image of the city and he takes these
variables into account. City planners should be aware of the ways
people form mental images and use those characteristics to create
cities that are memorable, attractive, and navigable. Lynch

2
develops the term "imageability" to describe the quality of a city
to be re-created in the mind. It is easier for a community member
to create a mental map and navigate the city's layout when it has
more imageability. Lynch emphasizes the need for cities to be
efficient as well as interesting and aesthetically pleasing.
 Chapter 1: The Image of the Environment
Chapter summary/ Analysis

Summary

In this chapter Lynch summarizes the main points of his research. He reminds
the reader of his five elements of city design which are paths, edges, districts,
nodes, and landmarks. He reiterates the importance of these elements working
together to create an imaginable and navigable city. He stresses that his
research was limited to three American cities and his focus was on physical,
tangible elements of city design. Form and function must be considered as
complementary and not competing characteristics. Lynch concludes by musing
about the future of urban design and the importance of creating cities that are
vivid, navigable, and beautiful.

3 Concept of legibility.
Chapter summary/ Analysis Chapter 1: the image of the environment
Analysis
Lynch compares observing a city to observing a mountain. He
said a person can't see the whole mountain at once just like the
city. Lynch's approach to city planning was radical for the
times. Other city planners and researchers did not attempt to
look at multiple aspects of a city and understand how they are
connected or how they influence one another. He studied how
ordinary citizens viewed the city rather and how they lived.

3
Chapter summary/ Analysis Chapter 2: Three Cities Summary

Boston

• Lynch describes his research methods in detail. He notes the two approaches he took to analyze the elements of three American cities. A
trained urban researcher started the research with careful observations of a city and noted the physical characteristics of the area. ​
• Then Lynch interviewed a small group of city residents in depth over several months. Lynch asked citizens a wide range of questions about
the ways they observed and interacted with the city where they lived. Subjects were asked about emotional and practical connections they
had with the city.​

• Lynch studied Los Angeles, Boston, and Jersey City for his case study. Lynch chose these cities for different reasons. He chose Boston
for its historical value. 
• Boston is among the oldest metropolitan areas in the United States. Lynch recognized the importance of studying an old city. Boston has
withstood hundreds of years of growth and change and is still an important city in the United States. It is the oldest city Lynch
studied and had undergone many changes but still retained distinctive characteristics from the earliest days of the city.​
Chapter summary/ Analysis Chapter 2: Three Cities Summary
• Lynch chose Jersey City because it
appeared to have no form or structure.

• Jersey City residents defined the

city by landmarks that were
actually not part of the city such as
the New York City skyline or the
Hudson River. 
• The city lacked unique and
defining characteristics such as
landmarks or districts.
•  Many respondents said that
everything looked too similar to Boston
create definition within the city. 
• The city appeared to be an
afterthought with no real purpose
behind the layout or structures . 

Jersey City
Chapter summary/ Analysis Chapter 2: Three Cities
Summary

• Los Angeles juxtaposes Jersey

City in the design intent. Los
Angeles is a highly planned city
that uses intentional layout and
path design. Streets are arranged
in clean, straight lines to create
blocks but the city planners
failed to consider
the importance of landmarks,
pathways, and districts. The city Boston
does not have enough quirk to
make it memorable.
Los Angeles is an example of a
city that seemed like a good idea
on paper but was disappointing
in execution.

Los Angeles
Chapter summary/ An
Chapter 2: Three Cities
Analysis
• Lynch uses the analysis of three different cities to explain his theory that many
characteristics of a city must work in harmony for the city to be memorable and
navigable. Each of the cities he describes is lacking in an important characteristic.
Lynch's observations are meaningful because they support his claim from the first
chapter that good city planning must consider several characteristics of a city and that no
one element can overcome the deficiencies of the other elements of a city.

• The analysis of Boston demonstrates that old cities can be sustained with careful
thought. Boston's characteristics prove that some districts within a city can become more
memorable and navigable than others as compared to the whole city. Irregular city
planning can make it hard to navigate between distinctive districts within the city and
create imbalance and fragmentation.

• Lynch claimed that cities need memorable landmarks and characteristics for navigational purposes. Many city residents defined Jersey City by

3
the characteristic of other nearby cities. Jersey City seemed like an afterthought rather than an intentional space. Many residents reflected the
attitude that Jersey City is not a destination spot. Lynch's research shows that residents lacked pride in the city because there were no important
or defining characteristics about the city.

• Los Angeles juxtaposes Jersey City in the design intent. Los Angeles is a highly planned city that uses intentional layout and path design. Streets
are arranged in clean, straight lines to create blocks but the city planners failed to consider the importance of landmarks, pathways, and districts.
The city does not have enough quirk to make it memorable. Los Angeles is an example of a city that seemed like a good idea on paper but was
disappointing in execution.
 Chapter 3: The Image and Its Elements
Summary
Chapter summary/ Analysis

• Lynch identifies five key elements that shape the way people perceive and navigate cities. Lynch notes that these

3
elements are limited to what is physical or perceptible by any observer.
•  He does not investigate emotional connections people could have to an otherwise unremarkable landmark. 
• Lynch describes his five key elements and provides examples of how they shape the image of the city people hold in
their minds. Paths are the routes people use to move about the city.
•  Edges are the linear breaks within a city that are not used for travel. Tree lines, riverbanks, or walls are examples of
edges. They help city planners create confinement and defined spaces within a city by creating boundaries.
 Chapter 3: The Image and Its Elements
Analysis
Chapter summary/ Analysis
• Lynch's observations of Jersey City and Los
Angeles show that some elements may be left
ineffective if one characteristic is missing.
•  Edges help shape districts that include medium
or large areas within a city united by common
characteristics. 
• Some districts are defined by activity such as
business or residential areas or by physical
characteristics such as a historic district.
•  Lynch notes that districts and paths are the two
most dominant ways individuals define the
cities in which they live. 

3
•  Nodes are destination points or concentration points in a city. Nodes are areas people can physically enter and they serve as a reference
point. Important street intersections, the entrance to a train stop, or town squares are examples of nodes. Nodes are closely related to paths
because they are often formed when two important paths cross.​
• Landmarks are physical characteristics that are unique and memorable.
•  Landmarks are similar to nodes in that people use them as reference points. Landmarks allow a city dweller to orient themselves and
decide how to proceed along their paths. 
• A landmark can be any number of architectural, natural, artistic, or navigational structures. A clock tower, mountain, statue or road sign
are examples of landmarks. Landmarks are the elements that give the most charm to a city and make them memorable and unique.
 Chapter 3: The Image and Its Elements
Analysis
Chapter summary/ Analysis

Edge
Pathways

3 Nodes
Chapter summary/ An Chapter 4: City Form
Summary
In this chapter Lynch discusses the ease with which the people who live and work
there in a city can picture it accurately. He discusses the importance of balance
between aesthetics and function. An element of the city should have form as well as
function. He argues that the five physical elements: Path, Edge, District, Node, and
Landscape are the building blocks of a city but must be executed thoughtfully and
skillfully. Lynch lists 10 attributes of urban design that work together to create
harmony and aesthetically pleasing spaces. They are singularity, form simplicity,
continuity, dominance, clarity of joint, directional differentiation, visual scope,
motion awareness, time series, and names and meanings. These 10 attributes must
create balance and structure in order for people to use them to navigate the city in
pleasing ways. They are all important to the overall aesthetic and function of a city.

3
Chapter summary/ An Chapter 4: City Form
Analysis
In this chapter Lynch explained the importance of characteristics working together to create a
desired effect in the city. Lynch lists the 10 attributes of urban design which are singularity,
form simplicity, continuity, dominance, clarity of joint, directional differentiation, visual scope,
motion awareness, time series, and names and meanings. All these attributes are interdependent
and connected. Until Lynch's research the physical attributes of a city were considered
separately from each other and often to the detriment of the city. Lynch lists the 10 attributes
that comprise the beauty and function of urban features. He describes elements of geometric
form and notes the importance of simplicity and symmetry. He also states that clear edges,
joints, and continuity of lines are important elements to a pleasing design that also function as
distinctive features to help city dwellers perceive their surroundings. Lynch comments that a
sense of motion and a sense of time are important navigational and functional elements. Sense
of time and motion allow the observer to understand where paths are leading or the historical
context of a city and its architecture. Sense of time and sense of motion provide charm that
makes the city memorable compared to other locations. Names and meaning can also provide
charm and individuality by connecting important landmarks or nodes to historical or regional

3
characters. City planners in Boston failed to consider the ways new buildings or districts would
fit in with other architecture from the city's past. Boston became a city with districts that are
jarring together and create imbalance in the visual aesthetic and functionality of the city.
Lynch's observation serves as a warning to future city planners. The city must be considered a
whole unit.
Chapter summary/ An Chapter 5: A New Scale
Summary
In this chapter Lynch summarizes the main points of his research. He reminds the reader of
his five elements of city design which are paths, edges, districts, nodes, and landmarks. He
reiterates the importance of these elements working together to create an imaginable and
navigable city. He stresses that his research was limited to three American cities and his
focus was on physical, tangible elements of city design. Form and function must be
considered as complementary and not competing characteristics. Lynch concludes by
musing about the future of urban design and the importance of creating cities that are vivid,
navigable, and beautiful.

3
Analysis
Lynch's conclusion in this chapter takes us back to Chapter 1, where he mentioned about the importance of aesthetics and the artistry that
goes into good city planning. Lynch's conclusion emphasizes the importance of human connection to the features of the city. He mentioned
that his research is just the beginning of city planning research. Future city planners should use the five city characteristics as the building
blocks for well-designed urban spaces. People develop pride in their communities when city planners create spaces that are unique, pleasing,
and practical. Proud citizens are more committed to protecting and improving their communities. Lynch ends by stressing the importance of
the artistic qualities of city planning and design.