MORPHOLOGICAL STUDY OF A SMALL TOWN BARKUR IN COASTAL KARNATAKA, INDIA 2 METHODOLOGY

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1 2 METHODOLOGY The understanding of form as a process with underlying structure, distinguishing it from the physical characteristics of town form itself by which the potentials of the town structure are realized. Analysis of activities of man; the physical form of structures developed for these activities and their association and arrangements with one another and with the land. In such a study behavior patterns of individuals, institutions and forms, which occur in the spatial patterns largely, determine the physical structure of a city. However in the study it is necessary that space be described autonomously prior to fixing the variables such as distance, shape, land-use and other physical characteristics of town. Hence the space should not be reduced to be subservient to a particular variable or only a by-product of an external causative agency. The contribution of spatial configuration to human cognition is significant is irrefutably proved. (Lynch, 1960). Hillier in his discussion of space syntax analysis established that environmental experience is guided by interconnectedness and constraints of spatial configuration affecting human activity an subsequent behavior (Hillier, 1996, 2007, pp ). Golledge and Stimson have also emphasized that the path or network structure is critical for image of spatial environment. (Golledge, 1997). Few others have established the influence of built environment on accuracy of spatial information (Donald Appleyard, 1973) and (O Neill, 1991). Syntactic approach to spatial analysis tries to define a pattern of connectivity and configuration in terms of global codification which can be interpreted and compared to other places. Cognition analysis is very rooted to the place and culture of the people as the whole interpretation is derived from the people rather than the plan which makes it difficult to link objectively to features of plan irrespective of the cultural and social bias.(kim & Penn, 2004) However without regional and cultural approach to understanding of the town the evaluation of the town features with respect to social aspects would be incomplete and erroneous. 7

2 The following aspects have been proved in various researches; spatial cognition is in terms of structure and entities and their relationship in space(hart & Moore, 1973), Cognition mapping involves converting complex image information into structuring of spatial environment (Downs & Stea, 1973), Sketch map has been popularly used to arrive at cognitive maps however they are generally incomplete, distorted and employ mixed metric or non-metric modes of representation. They provide mixed data of line, point, area, turns of routes and sequence of events. It has been definitely proved that turn affect the perceived distance of routes, (Sadalla & Magel, 1980) people straighten gentle curves, square non perpendicular intersections, align non-parallel streets(evans & Pezdek, 1980), Images are dependent variables to factors such as socioeconomic status, length of residence, mobility characteristics and activity patterns (Donald Appleyard, 1973)(Pipkin, 1981). Sketch map analysis along with complementary methods of verbal description, photo identification, space motion diagram and visual assessment has been able to qualify and classify elements of the town and their spatial relation to an extent. However the perceptual studies cannot define by physical characteristics of town in terms of global codes of cognition. This gap is filled by space syntax analysis which is able to measure the spatial configuration in terms of open space sight and accessibility of space. This accounts for neglect in gradual turns in path, fragmented zones in image of town, important decision making nodes and landmarks, measure ease of access or interconnectedness and disintegration of space. (Hillier, 1996, 2007). There is a definite overlap in frequency of elements noted in perceptual studies to index of the element in space syntax. The syntactic properties of spatial configuration are related to sketch map in terms of errors and inconsistencies in the map due to dissociated links or low index of connectivity. The five elements of image of city namely- path, node, landmark, edge and district (Lynch, 1960) can be derived and explained in both methods and complement the understanding of morphology of town in terms of perception of people. This combination helps in separating physical elements and their characteristics in terms of measured index from non- 8

3 physical factors influencing the cognition of town like cultural notions and social bias. (Kim & Penn, 2004) Hence the first part of the study analyses the physical configuration of town to determine the space syntax in indexes with respect to connectivity of axial lines and convex spaces and depth index from the main transport node. The findings of the map are then linked to feature of land-use with the temples and historic maps to support the behavior of the form. This is further compared with three other towns namely- Udupi, Brahmavara and Basrur, of the same region (hence cultural and social similarity), similar date of origin (duration of development is similar) and have the temple and ratha-beedi as the oldest part of town. They vary in the way they have developed through time and the factors that led to the development in the form. This comparison helps in recognizing the pattern if any in the town of Barkur that could be told as generic in the region. 2.1 Physical Study With Respect To Social Logic of Space: The study would involve arriving at topological relation between elements of the settlement town and built the pattern of abstract model of relations which will form the syntax. Concepts of proximity, separation and spatial succession etc. would be the topological analysis. The syntax are a combinatorial structures which starting from the ideas that may be mathematical develop into families of pattern types which form the artificial world of discrete system with its internal order as knowable. This can represented as morphic language links where they are arranged as per the syntax. The morphic language represents the social principles interpreting the syntax. The morphic language defined as that of understanding how characteristic patterns in a set of phenomenon can be recognized with reference to an abstract principles of arrangement namely the syntax. The syntax in turn is introduced with space time meaning and developed into complete design. This study helps to read the town configuration in terms of its visual link and space perception of people, hence the indexes indicates the possibility of main movement areas, public congregation areas, places for local gathering spaces and finally the 9

4 most private areas as per the indexes of connectivity and spatial definition in the overall network of spaces To retrieve the syntax from the plan first reduce the plan into elements of space which are irreducible objects second represent these elements in some kind of notation or ideography for ease of analysis to show how these elements are related to each other to make the whole system and how they have possibilities of combination To take forward this method from one prescribed by Hillier Bill and Hanson Julienne one interprets the town as a system of cells with entries and links and another map as a system of convex spaces to define the system of open spaces. The analysis is to see this process of town development as restrictions on an underlying random process, the restrictions forming the syntax. The advantage of this being that we are not looking for a visual similarity or geometrical consistency of town design rather a relation of spaces with respect to visual link and convex space irrespective of distance and building elevation. 2.2 Meaning of each index in space syntax analysis The following indexes are chosen for analysis: 1. Axial link index where the index represents the number of convex space axial line intersect. This index for axial lines indicates the level of connectivity it has to spaces for activity hence where the index is high there could be higher level of activity and/or movement. Lower index indicates more singular in function. 2. Convex space adjacency index where the index represents the number of convex space it is directly linked to. This index indicates the level of areas and multiple activities that is possible at that space. Hence higher the index more is the 10

5 possibility of pause and multiple activities and identities and lower index indicates singularity of activity. 3. Index of depth from other villages. This indicates the number of turns or paths required to access a space hence higher the index means less accessible and more privacy. The index is as per the shortest route possible for that particular space from the main road of the town. 4. Index of axial connectivity is the index for axial line as per number of axial lines each line intersects. This indicates the linkage pattern and connectivity. The higher the index higher is connectivity hence more possibility for traffic and movement. 5. Axial space index is the index for convex space as per number convex spaces linked by axial lines in all directions. This indicates the linkage pattern and public-ness of space for activity. The higher the index higher is connectivity hence more possibility for activity and movement. 6. Building space index is the index for convex space as per number of buildings defining the space. This indicates the possibility of activity and use for that space. Higher the index more is the possibility of more number of people moving through it. 7. Depth from building entrance index is the index for convex space as per number of steps from building to the space. This indicates the proximity and definition of space by the building. Higher the index less is the activity or association with space. From the above the index of depth, axial link index and axial space index when overlapped will be able to predict the popular routes and edge of the town or district. The popular nodes and landmarks could be derived from overlap of convex space adjacency index, axial space index axial connectivity index and building space index. However based on the index derived the validity of each index to derive morphology of Barkur town can be reviewed. 11

6 2.3 Environmental Behavior and Cognition Analysis: Interpretive mode/ Operative mode which is the cognitive representation of the spatial environment deals with the process of mapping the spatial cognition (where the spatial cognition of objects is derived from the people) this is derived from sketch map analysis, possibly study the distortion and errors therein and the sketch map analysis has been supplemented by photographic recognition(s.milgram, 1976) and verbal description of routes and nodes(g.t.moore, 1976), environment ratings and activity patterns. It is noted that spatial cognition develops ontogenetically from need based to complex diagram of orientation, personal need changing and realigning the environment mapping, variables such as sex, ethnic group also affecting the cognition, studies found overlap in results of verbal, graphical and behavioral studies of spatial orientation.(g.t.moore, 1976) Responsive mode to find the environmental stressors that affect the behavior of people, they can be measured objectively and categorized by way of notation diagrams(donald Appleyard, 1963) here there is a need for trained people in notation to filter the environmental features and note its influence in the spatial cognition process(space motion diagram). Again objectivity is achieved by standardizing the aspects to be noted. This is used to distinguish physical aspects and measure its influence in a diagram hence it is supporting the cognition map derived from sketch map analysis. Inferential mode is to note the features of the environment and its influence in the cognition process. This is also a measure to relate the physical form of elevation to the cognition of people derived from sketch map analysis. The trained eye is used to objectively classify the elements of form that influence the assessment of the environment and hence influence the attitude of people. The parameters selected are based on the visual features assessed from the road and 12

7 does not include experiences within the structures and the activities therein. The elements identified are the roofline, opening or porosity, material and color, enclosure (width to height ratio), dominant features, landscape as a treatment. The people s perception is analyzed with respect to mental maps which covers the operative perception of the town o in graphical terms as sketch maps ( to find the physical features dominating cognition), o second mapping of daily activities and associations with words and descriptions ( to find the key features of town due to familiarity and association) o Finally photo-identification of different parts of town (to find recognition of various parts of town features like, built-forms, streets, landscape, details etc. The visual impact study gives the responsive features of the town s physical characteristics, analyzing without knowledge or familiarity with town. The space motion diagram gives inferential perception of town given without familiarity with the town. Finally the hierarchy of town in terms of space syntax indexes is compared with the hierarchy established with the perceptual studies and overall conclusion of morphology of town with respect to people is concluded. This analysis is to understand the operative, responsive and inferential cognition of town since locals will be using all three their perception and cognition is studied in terms of sketch maps, daily routine and associations and photo identification. To separate the aspects of familiarity and association the questionnaire is further segregated in terms of other parameters such as age, place of residence and no. of years spent in the town. The visual impact study is to understand whether physical features of the town create difference in perception of town irrespective of knowledge of town or use or familiarity. This addresses the responsive perception of town. The space motion diagram analyses whether there 13

8 are distinct features of town which is not comprehensible to visitors as compared to other towns. The last study is to focus on inferential perception. In the technique, adopted by comprehensive perceptual Barkur study, the aspects to be derived are The references of people and the meanings associated. The scale of these references is marked with levels of space, structure, element or activity itself. Distinction has to be made with individual level associational value, familiarity through routine and community significance of the reference through beliefs and practices. These need to be separated from references due to spatial construct and position, distinct physical identity of structure, utility value of element and public level activity. Mobility patterns and user group classification as per age, sex, caste, religion, place of work, place of residence would show various patterns involving individual background and reference points. In these analyses it is likely that there would be overlap in the layers however the distinct layers would be useful in understanding the commonalities and variations of references. The Mental Map analysis is as per Kevin Lynch s five elements of city. This type of analysis limits itself to the effects of physical, perceptible objects. There are other influences of image ability, such as the social meaning of an area, its function, its history, or even its name. These will be addressed in the next question, since the objective here is to uncover the role of form itself. It is taken for granted that in actual design form should be used to reinforce meaning, and not to negate it. The contents of the city images, which are referred to physical forms, are conveniently be classified into five types of elements: paths, edges, districts, nodes, and landmarks. These elements may be defined as follows: 14

9 1. Paths. Paths are the routes along which the user moves regularly or occasionally. People observe the town though these routes and the other observations are correlated to these routes or path. 2. Edges. Edges are the linear elements not used or considered as paths by the user. They are the boundaries between two parts of the region which may be barriers like walls or natural boundaries like rivers and valleys etc. They are lateral references rather than coordinate axes. These edge elements, although not as dominant as paths, are for many people important organizing features, particularly in the role of holding together generalized areas, as in the outline of a city by water or wall. In the case of Barkur the river is an important edge along with other boundaries like agricultural fields, forest areas and compound walls. 3. Districts. Districts are the medium-to-large sections of the city, conceived of as having two-dimensional extent, which the observer mentally enters inside of, and which are recognizable as having some common, identifying character. 4. Nodes. Nodes are points, the distinct locations of concentrated activity or reference in a city into which an observer can enter, and which are the intensive foci to and from which he is traveling. They may be primarily junctions, places of a break in transportation, a crossing or convergence of paths, moments of shift from one structure to another. Or the nodes may be simply concentrations, which gain their importance from being the condensation of some use or physical character. 5. Landmarks. Landmarks are another type of point-reference, but in this case the observer does not enter within them, they are external. They are usually a rather simply defined physical object: building, sign, store, or mountain. Their use involves the singling out of one element from a host of possibilities. Some landmarks are distant ones, typically seen from many angles and distances, over the tops of smaller elements, and used as radial references (Lynch, 1960) 15

10 2.3.1 Measuring the environment s physical features: Measuring the environment s physical features for cognition and perceptual aspects are observation studies complementing the cognition map created by sketch map analysis Space motion Diagram where the experience of the street and space would be documented by outsider in terms of scale of explicitness, enclosure, notion of path, visual link, landmark, nodes, noise, dominant views. The space motion Diagram method is to document the experience in totality. The space motion diagram drawn first roughly includes the physical shape of the street as seen by the eye, the slopes, culverts, turns, visual links etc. the second is the percentage of enclosure defined by the built forms or landscape accompanied by section shown diagrammatically, third is the number of steps it took to notice the next important visual aspect, fourth diagram is the orientation diagram where the landmarks, noise level, key features noticed are drawn. Finally the photographs of sample experience are put along the side. This example of documentation led to concluding the key features of the street experience as felt by the visitors who were not familiar with the town at all. The roads chosen were which he/she felt comfortable finding and walking and they were not to interact with the locals to find their way. No map was provided and no explanation about the town was given. Visual Impact analysis where a person would rate the elevations and views in terms of its visual quality for the dominant features, % of sky, enclosure, definition of space, porosity of edge and general quality. 16