As the living environment of people becomes similar from one town to another one, the realistic environment has no more Identity, making the users lose a kind of Belonging. Therefore, the discovery of urban image and local style has become an important subject of the urban design nowadays.
This thesis, through investigation method of Cognitive Map, by applying the substantial space analysis method of Kevit Lynch , focuses on Hsimenting area as the scope of research, to proceed urban image operation and research. Among which, it further progresses questionnaire investigation analysis concerning the activity groups (workers, tourists, inhabitants) of Hsimenting area, to obtain total 138 copies of questionnaire, respectively engaging in conclusion and discussion concerning the recognized image elements of 3 kinds of different users. Furthermore, the image theory of James D. Harrison and William A. Howard is employed, to understand the environmental recognition attribute characteristics of the users of each group, so as to perform analysis and study. According to the study, the following conclusions are obtained:
I. Obvious differences exist between the recognized image of Hsimenting area by professionals and users
II. Characteristics of the recognized image elements by users:
The landmark and paths element recognition level is the highest, best in obtaining the users’ concurrent recognition; the next is nodes and district, while edges become the weakest. On the other hand, in the image questionnaires of the interviewees concerning “notes” and “landmark”, it is harder to produce obvious segregation. Among the recognition of nodes element, the imaginativeness of Hsimen circle accounts for the highest one. Besides, the scope of Hsimenting area scope recognized by general users normally is concentrated in the major commercial district of Hsimen.
III. Differences of environmental recognition of users of various groups:
Workers tend to focus on paths as major group environment image elements; tourists focus on landmark as major element to group environment; while inhabitants completely express the image identity structure.
IV. Classification and comparison of users concerning environment image:
In the users’ questionnaires of Hsimenting, strong framework formation of “point, line, facade” has formed. By applying recognition diagram to describe the characteristics of current status of environment and its emphases, it can be concluded into 4: concerned paths, description of location site, paths and locations, description of district.
V. Starting from the point of view of users, the Hsimenting area image element classification manner is set up (locations, sites, edges, districts, paths).
VI. Problem of appropriateness of urban image composition elements classification: Urban image elements for the location as the theoretical nucleus — paths, edges, districts, nodes, landmark, in practical classification application is not easy.
VII. Through comparison and study of the current status of substantial environment and users’ environment recognition, it can be provided to the professionals as reference of urban planning.
1. Concern on image element and location creation, through visual form strengthening and activity holding, to reappear the district personality.
2. By using natural resources, historical and significant elements to perform local specification formation, create uniqueness so as to further produce identity.
3. In terms of visual elements, a district may, through urban space layout location, symbol, definition and connected elements, such as: identification, orientation, index, information, explanation, control, decoration, path furniture and facility, strengthen the identity of the district.
4. Improve or strengthen the identity of major paths, maintain or develop local activity structure with characteristics, and connect the link of each district to jointly build a district with characteristics.
It is hoped, through the urban image study of Hsimenting, to discus the users environment recognition characteristics and difference analysis result, to serve as reference of professionals in planning design, and can provide follow-up image study recommendations and references.
