Why Can the Image of the City be Formed?

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel perspective on cognitive mapping, suggesting that the image of the city arises from the scaling properties of city artifacts, emphasizing the importance of hierarchical structures in urban perception.

Contribution

It introduces a new theory linking city images to the scaling of artifacts, offering a fresh viewpoint on cognitive mapping that challenges traditional models.

Findings

The image of the city is related to the scaling of city artifacts.

Hierarchical structures play a key role in urban perception.

The proposed view may clarify misunderstandings about cognitive mapping.

Abstract

The aim of this short paper is to summarize my recent preprint (arXiv:1209.1112), in which I proposed a novel and probably controversial view about cognitive mapping; that is, the image of the city out of the underlying scaling of city artifacts or locations. The scaling refers to a recurring structure of far more small things than large ones. In this paper, I attempt to further clarify the central argument, and identify some possible areas of misunderstanding for readers.