Perceptions of Place - evaluating experiential qualities of streetscapes

Working with a small set of 60 images from a collection of over 1000 digital photographs, the following paper presents ongoing research into the experiential qualities of street scapes. This paper examines the initial results of a survey of 75 voluntary based perceptive studies and focusses on a sample cohort of 30 participants (20 cognate and 10 non-cognate respondents) who were asked to evaluate a streetscape experience based on favourable and unfavourable perceptive qualities. Using a spatial sequencing process, akin to the 'Serial Vision' methodology of Gordon Cullen, respondents were asked to rate a section of urban fabric based on favourable (hot or warm) and unfavourable (cold or cool) traits and to digitally capture these images. The study yields results which highlight the importance of the quality and effect of green attributes within the overall street scape experience. The implications for urban design practice (streetscape greening), are briefly explored.