ABSTRACT
Legibility is the potential to organise something into a recognisable pattern, which introduces understanding and meaning to a situation. In urban design, legibility depends on the composition and configuration of our built environment and their physical characteristics. An environment is legible when the perceived pattern of the spatial composition is interpreted in a way that has relevance to the way the space is to be used and the needs of the user. Legibility is the degree to which the current situation can be organised into coherent and recognisable patterns in spite of complexity. Legibility is an important principle for spatial navigation and wayfinding, allowing us to move through space safely and comfortably. Landmarks are central to legibility, as they mark decision points and offer choices between different paths with clear implications. Other moments of decision are intersections of paths and nodal points.
