Page 1 of 8
Journal for Studies in Management and Planning
Available at http://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/JSMaP/
ISSN: 2395-0463
Volume 03 Issue 01
January 2017
Available online: http://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/JSMaP/ P a g e | 55
Pedestrian Movement and Visual Orientation in Public Spaces
Shikha Gadru, B.Arch (4th Year)
Faculty of Architecture, Manipal University, India
Abstract:
Urban public spaces have been described as
places of gathering for social, economic or
cultural purposes. It derives its form from the
local context, land use and heritage of the city.
To make these places legible, there has to be a
visual connection between the elements.
Through this study, an attempt is made to
understand the factors that affect the pedestrian
movement in a public space and how visual
access plays an important role in defining the
image of a city through these spaces, keeping
different climatic conditions in mind. It also
aims to examine whether there exists a
relationship between people’s behavior and
their movement, and the visual fields created by
spatial configuration. Literature studies related
to human psychology and Gestalt’s theory
forms an integral part of the study.
Three case studies were conducted in different
climatic conditions of India, using mapping
tools, sketching, photographs and
observational surveys. Factors like pedestrian
access, landscape, landmarks and pathways
were compared and analyzed. The results
indicated that while some public spaces are
used on a day to day basis, others are visited by
tourists due to their historic importance.
Further, it can be inferred that more the
visually accessible a place is, more the number
of pedestrians using the space. Another factor
affecting the number of pedestrians is the type
of activities happening in and around the public
square.
In order to develop a public space of
importance, it should be kept in mind that the
space should provide pedestrian-friendly
facilities that would increase the number of
users, promote healthy living and increase
social interaction among people.
Keywords: Pedestrian, plaza, street, visual
connection
1. Introduction:
Urban space has been defined as a "void" between
buildings such as streets, plazas and parks that
allow movement and outdoor activities of the
public. (Yassine Bada, 2009) Streets include roads,
paths, avenues, lanes, alleys, etc. These are
dynamic spaces with a sense of movement. On the
other hand, squares includes plazas, circuses,
places, courts, etc. These are static spaces with less
sense of movement. Formal squares typically have
a sense of enclosure, organized floorscape and
arrangement of street furniture. Informal spaces
have a wide variety of surrounding architecture
and asymmetric layout.
Visual properties of a space: Experiencing space
involves motion, hence space is more dynamic
than static. It is a sequence of subspaces involving
changing visual fields. (Yassine Bada, 2009)
Spatial cognition: It is associated with the
acquisition, organization, utilization and revision
of knowledge about spatial environments.
Wayfinding is a method of spatial cognition is
defined as a method of problem solving, to know
Page 2 of 8
Journal for Studies in Management and Planning
Available at http://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/JSMaP/
ISSN: 2395-0463
Volume 03 Issue 01
January 2017
Available online: http://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/JSMaP/ P a g e | 56
where a person is in a given environment, knowing
where the desired location is, and the way to reach
the destination.
Perceptual dimension of space: Perception
involves the experience of a place that is
stimulated by sight, sound, smell or touch. It
involves the gathering, organizing and making
sense of information about the environment
(Matthew Carmona, 2003). Gestalt’s psychology
states that aesthetic order and unity comes from the
grouping and recognition of patterns.
In India, public spaces are mainly of two types:
streets and squares. Streets develop around the
built or unbuilt space to aid movement. Squares
develop as a result of grouping of dwellings
around a courtyard. Squares are seen as spaces
where people can spend more time whereas streets
are more dynamic. In traditional cities, the spatial
characteristic of a street is its volume that is
generated by vertical wall planes that bound it on
either side. Dynamic activities include walking,
strolling. Static activities include sitting, standing,
eating, etc. Sqaures were introduced during the
British Colonial Rule and became nodes for social
activities. In most cities, these were formed at the
intersection of two major crossroads (chowks).
They acted as market place, temple courtyards,
places for preaching, etc.In India, informal squares
with asymmetrical and relaxed character are more
prevalent.
2. Methodology:
This research attempts to establish a relationship
between pedestrian movement and visual
orientation in an urban public space, taking
different climatic aspects in view. It aims at
understanding the human perception and spatial
configuration of a place in terms of its visual
appeal. Three major factors: landscape, landmarks
and pathways were studied for their effect on
pedestrian movement in a plaza.
A qualitative survey was carried out for the study
of the factors mentioned above. The primary field
research included photography mapping,
sketching, interview and mass observation of
people in a giving setting. A questionnaire survey
was conducted on the pedestrian activities in
public spaces, for a sample size of 120 people from
different states of India. The people were asked to
keep in mind the climate of the city in which they
were residing. Public space was defined as any
park/street or any other plaza. The questions
included the type of walkways, seating and shade
that people prefer. It also included the type of
visual access people would like to have within a
public space.
The data was then analyzed on the basis of three
major climatic zones of India- hot and dry
including cities like Jodhpur and Hyderabad, cold
and humid including Leh, Gangtok, and warm and
humid including Manipal, Kolkata and Mumbai.
The focus of the study remains hot and dry climate.
3. Case Studies:
India is the home to various topographical,
religious and ethnic diversities. The factors had
been kept in mind while selecting the case studies.
Climate has been the major factor affecting the
case studies which further affects the landscape of
the area, the type of seating and shading used, and
the scale of the open space. The studies have been
done on major public open spaces in major cities
like The Gateway of India in Mumbai (Warm and
humid climate), MG Marg, Gangtok (Cold and
humid) and Badi Chaupar in Jaipur (Hot and dry
climate)
3.1 Gateway of India, Mumbai
The Gateway of India is located in South Mumbai
and stands against the backdrop of the Arabian
Sea. It consists of a large plaza, with activities
located at the edges. The plaza provides the
visitors a view of the Gateway along with other
landmark structures like The Taj Mahal Palace
Hotel. The commercial activities are located at one
end, ensuring no encroachment into the plaza. The
entire block is depressed so that they do not
Page 3 of 8
Journal for Studies in Management and Planning
Available at http://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/JSMaP/
ISSN: 2395-0463
Volume 03 Issue 01
January 2017
Available online: http://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/JSMaP/ P a g e | 57
visually interfere with the visibility of the
monument and statues.
Figure 1 Map of the Gateway Complex
There is a direct access to the major landmark, i.e.,
The Gateway of India. The Taj Palace is not visible
at this point. Only after reaching the gateway, the
Taj can be seen and hence becomes an element of
surprise. Small buildings and trees block the view
of the Vivekanda Statue. The landscape elements
include a small garden has steps around it which is
used for seating.
The complex is too exposed. People tend to walk
on the edges due to presence of monuments or
statues.
Figure 2 Pedestrian circulation
Due to sufficient number of street lamps, the
pedestrians continue visiting the monument in the
evening.
Figure 3 Lighting system around the Complex
3.2 MG Marg, Gangtok
MG Marg is a fully pedestrian street which is lined
up with shops of all types, from restaurants and
bars to shops selling clothes, on both sides. The
central pathway is flanked by four storied
structures, giving a sense of enclosure. There are
two types of textures used for the pathways: one
exclusive for those who are shopping (next to the
buildings) and the other is for walking, sitting, etc.
Figure 4 Map of MG Marg
The landscape features include benches
surrounded with plants that are provided in the
middle of the road where tourists can sit and relax.
The road is flat, but takes a gradual turn towards
the middle of the street, hence the two access
points become visually disconnected.
