Meaning and the Congruence of Urban Form and Activity

Abstract Viewing the physical environment as a field of communications about activity systems gives the urban designer clues for the achievement of a more meaningful urban area. An environmental survey research approach is developed to examine relationships between physical form and activity organization. Correspondence or congruence between variables representing type, intensity, and significance of forms and activities is measured, and its impact on knowledge evaluated. It is concluded that by design of the environment itself—through establishment of a congruent and expressive system of forms—the city designer can significantly influence the achievement of a more meaningful environment.