Elements of Urban Form in Defining the Elements of Collective Cognitive Map, with Special Reference to Maharagama, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Cities are dynamic in nature. Image and the experience of the cities are fast changing. People perceive the cities individually. But all inhabitants navigate in the city with use of a cognitive map based on individual cognitive map based on individual experiences. This study aims to derive a collective cognitive map in order to understand urban fabric of a city. Furthermore outcomes of the study are expected to be used as parameters to enhance legibility of urban environments. This study is focused on Maharagama, town as the location of study which has undergone rapid changes in recent past. Maharagama is a fast changing growth centre 15km towards west of Colombo the capital of Sri Lanka. Study uses lynch theories as parameters to analyse the urban context. An attempt is made to figure out the Paths, Nodes , Elements, Edges and Districts of the study area physically and as per the public perception in order to recognize the features of probable cognitive map.