Visual Perception of Urban Place: A Methodological Approach for Analysis and Synthesis of Designed Forms

This book critically examines the methodology of visual perception of urban places. Based on systematic study of different parameters derived from investigative research and on empirical analysis of Kolkata as a case, it discusses generic issues of urban design in relation with visual communication design. A framework has been evolved in the process which can be used methodically in various cities and urban environments across the world. Extending the idea, it also brings themes like architectural conjunction; issue of urban well-being; safety; policy standards, guidelines and procedures; involvement of community and stakeholders; cultural variability and urban regeneration. This book will be useful for practitioners and researchers of architecture, design, urban design, urban studies, sociology, environmental psychology, urban governance, development studies, urban sociology and cultural psychology.

Mainak Ghosh is a Professor of Architecture and Jt Director, School of Cultural Texts and Records at Jadavpur University, Kolkata; Previously had teaching experience in the department of Architecture & Regional Planning in Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. Along with academic experience, had worked in the domain of Design in a multinational global industry, following his M.Design degree from IIT Kanpur, with a base of B.Architecture. His research objective revolves around integrating and interpreting the two disciplines-Architecture/Urbanism and Visual Communication Design, which merges his academic and industrial core competencies. He has several accolades, publications and projects to his credit. His (ed.) book titled ‘Perception, Design and Ecology of the Built Environment’ focusing on Global South is of special mention.

Sanjib Nag has more than twenty-five years of academic experience, teaching in best universities of the region, including IIEST, Shibpur and Jadavpur University (JU), along with over ten years of industrial experience, in multinational consultancy organization, including working abroad. He is acting as professor, Department of Architecture, JU and has also acted as HoD. He has been serving, as member, in academic, technical and inspection committees of various institutes & government organizations of national importance and government regulatory councils respectively. With major publications and projects, his area of research is methodological parametric study and application, related to urban transformations and resulting urban developments, from architecture and urban design viewpoint.

Satyaki Roy is a Professor in the Department of Design at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. His expansive research spans visual culture, ethnography, crafts, documentary filmmaking, and communication design. An esteemed educator, researcher, and mentor, he has authored numerous publications, holds patents, and has registered several designs. He has supervised a significant number of M.Des and PhD theses, contributing extensively to academic mentorship. Roy has also assumed various leadership roles, including Head of the Design Department and coordinator of several nationally important sponsored projects. He founded the Media Technology Centre, a key hub for IIT Kanpur’s online education initiatives, and currently oversees major projects sponsored by the Ministry of Education, such as SWAYAM, NPTEL, and Swayam Prabha.