Readability of Karadeniz Technical University Kanuni Campus, Trabzon-Turkey

Abstract

Physical environments that are perceivable and readable help the users to reach their destinations without getting lost on the one hand and cause them to internalize the environments in which they reside and to identify themselves with the environments on the other. This study discusses the notion of “readability” of the campus settlements that have multifunctionality, open and closed areas, etc. The study employed Lynch’s mind mapping method, and the Kanuni Campus of Karadeniz Technical University (KTU) was chosen as the pilot area and its readability was investigated.The study consists of three sections. The first section is a literature review on readability, image, mind maps, and Lynch’s image elements. In the second section of the study, the maps drawn by the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year students of the Department of Architecture were transformed into a separate mind map for each class. The third section presents the analyses. The study exposed the similarities and differences in the mind maps of the students in different classes. Based on the results The readability of a campus is an important design problem in campus design. While doing this, the designer should organize the image elements that create a strong image effect in everyone.