Visual Perception and Spatial Configuration of Urban Landscape: An Integrated Approach Between Kevin Lynch’s Framework and Space Syntax for Al-Jumhouria Street in Tripoli
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65405/rarwbg83Keywords:
Space Syntax, Mental Image, Kevin Lynch, Visibility Graph (VGA), Urban Legibility, TripoleAbstract
This study investigates the configurational and perceptual relationship between users' visual cognition and the spatial structure of the urban landscape along Al-Jumhouria Street in Tripoli. The research addresses a critical planning paradox: while the corridor operates as a vital arterial spine within central Tripoli, it suffers from acute spatial legibility deterioration, disrupted building lines, and obstructed sightlines toward defining landmarks. An integrated methodology was established combining Kevin Lynch’s cognitive mapping framework with computational Space Syntax modeling via DepthmapX. A structured cognitive survey was administered to a systematic sample of 166 regular users to calculate the Cognitive Frequency Index (CFI) across Lynch’s five structural elements, coupled with axial and visual graph analysis (VGA) at a 1.5 m grid resolution. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant moderate positive relationship between spatial integration and pedestrian cognitive perception (r = 0.4079, p < 0.001), contrasted by a strong negative correlation with the choice metric (r = -0.9051, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the corridor demonstrated low structural intelligibility (R2 = 0.1664, p < 0.001), confirming that heavy through-traffic severely degrades pedestrian navigational clarity. A syntactic-cognitive disconnect was identified at primary landmarks, for instance, the Planetarium achieved high cognitive recall (CFI = 83.1%) driven by architectural uniqueness yet suffered from restricted isovist fields due to informal visual encroachments. The paper synthesizes an evidence-based matrix of urban design determinants to recover sightlines, active frontages, and spatial continuity.
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