The use of materials, the construction of buildings, their style and arrangement, all reflect the thinking and the conditions of the time. In towns, the terraced houses and public buildings built in the 19th century reflect the impact of industrialisation. 20th century suburbia shows how increased need for housing and new road systems resulted in greater urbanisation. New initiatives in the 21st century focus on the regeneration of the inner city, land reclamation and redevelopment of the waterfront. There will probably be domestic buildings such as houses and flats. There may be public buildings such as a school, a church, a library, theater or community centre, important elements in our cultural heritage. There may be commercial buildings such as shops or agricultural buildings such as barns or industrial buildings such as a factory or warehouse. There will probably be some vernacular buildings such as huts, sheds and bus shelters.
There will be lots of examples of change over time, probably some old buildings that have been converted to new uses. There might be some examples of new building or contemporary architecture.
There will be many opportunities to consider how the use of materials and different technologies have resulted in particular kinds of buildings and structures.
Spaces
It is not only buildings that give the townscape a particular quality. The spaces leading to, around and between buildings are also important.
What are the limits of the space?
How is the space contained?
What are the boundaries or edges?
How do you know if a space is public or private?
What materials have been used to make the floorscape?
Are there any gradients or changes of level, such as slopes, stairs
or terraces?
What are key elements in the spaces? What are the focal points?
What gives a space a special character? What attracts you to
particular spaces and makes you want to stay there? What makes
other spaces unattractive?
What is the relationship between built form and natural form?
What is the purpose of the various spaces? Do people pass through
quickly or stay there for some time? Are they social spaces where
people meet and congregate? Are they for sport, play or recreation?
Are they for rest and relaxation? Who uses them?
How well do they work?
What sequence of spaces do you encounter as you walk around
the neighbourhood?
As well as roads and streets, look for paths,
alleyways and lanes.
What are the divisions between vehicular and pedestrian traffic?
How easily can you walk around?
What is the experience?
Landscape
Both the townscape and the landscape have been created by the actions and activities of people over the centuries. The urban landscape has been shaped by the needs of industry, commerce, transport and housing. The rural landscape has been shaped not only by natural forces, but also by agriculture, forestry and the extraction industries.
How do buildings and other structures relate to their surroundings?
Do they fit in or create a contrast?
Do they enhance the view or create a blot on the landscape?
What are key elements in the landscape?
What kinds of fencing, walls or hedges are used to divide up
the landscape?
What are the views out to the countryside or to the sea?
What is the skyline?
What are the different purposes for landscaped spaces in
urban settings such as parks, playing fields, recreation grounds
and cemeteries?
What kinds of landscaping are used in public spaces?
Look for verges, roundabouts, car parks and embankments.
What kinds of plants can you identify in public spaces?
What are the reasons for planting these?
How do people create a private landscape in their gardens
and allotments?
What purposes do trees serve in towns and cities?
How does weather and climate influence our experience
of landscape?
Messages and Meanings
The built environment is full of messages – all kinds of barriers tell us where we can or cannot go; traffic lights, road signs and markings tell drivers where to drive; prohibitions tell us what we are not allowed to do; advertising tells us what to buy. How skilled are we at reading the messages from the townscape?
You can walk on words, look up at words, read them close up and at a distance. How are words used in street names, official notices and instructions, on traffic signs, on shop fronts and in advertising
Are they easy to read? Are they well positioned? Are they necessary? What different kinds of lettering forms can you find?
Look on pavements, walls, gravestones and shop fronts.
What materials are used?
Which of these are most effective?
Why?
What are the origins of street names?
How are they chosen?
What are the signs and symbols that we encounter as we walk along the street?
What do they represent?
Where might you find graffiti?
What problems does it create?
Where can you find examples of public art?
What kinds are there? Think about:
• Monuments to commemorate important people or those who died in wars.
• Artworks that show civic pride.
• Those that celebrate an aspect of our cultural heritage.
• Those that reveal hidden histories.
• Those that are more like street furniture or decoration to embellish or enhance the streetscape.
What do you notice if a place is loved and well cared for?
What do you notice if people do not look after a place?
What are key indicators of environmental quality?