Aesthetic Perception of Urban Streetscapes and the Impact of Form-Based Codes and Traditional Zoning Codes on Commercial Signage

Pat Crawford, Eunsil Lee, Maleah Beatty

School of Planning, Design & Construction, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA.

DOI: 10.4236/cus.2015.33017                

Abstract

The use of form-based codes for commercial signage regulation, as an alternative to conventional zoning codes, is a growing conversation with planners, designers, lawyers and the sign industry. The purpose of this study is to address a knowledge gap in the conversation—how different signage code applications impact users’ aesthetic perceptions of urban streetscapes. This study evaluates aesthetic perceptions of alternative streetscapes depicting form-based codes, traditional zoning codes, and no codes in terms of sense of beauty, interest, and order. One hundred and sixty six respondents rated their perceptions of alternative streetscape signage designs and their responses were compared across the four study nodes in the study. The findings revealed significant differences in respondents’ aesthetic perceptions of beauty, interest, and order among streetscape alternatives with form-based codes, traditional zoning codes, and no code applications. The streetscape with form-based codes was perceived as the most beautiful and interesting followed by the ones with zoning codes. Findings indicate that development of a model form-based code may enhance positive perceptions of beauty and interest across different downtown street signs. Respondents’ perception of order varied by landscape type, showing lower sense of order for formbased code applications in the corporate area, while higher sense of order in the downtown business area. Findings can inform interdisciplinary discussions on planning code development, signage design and urban streetscape design.

Keywords

Form-Based Codes, Aesthetic Perception, Signage, Urban Streetscape

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Barnett, J. (2003). Redesigning Cities. Chicago: APA Planners Press.
[2]	Bungum, T., Meacham, M., & Truax, N. (2007). The Effects of Signage and the Physical Environment on Stair Usage. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 4, 237-244.
[3]	Burdette, J. T. (2004). Form-Based Codes: A Cure for the Cancer Called Euclidean Zoning? Master’s Thesis. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-05122004-113700/unrestricted/BurdetteFINALmajorpaper.pdf
[4]	Carmona, M. (2009). Design Coding and the Creative, Market and Regulatory Tyrannies of Practice. Urban Studies, 46, 2643-2667. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0042098009344226
[5]	Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) (2013). Form-Based Codes: A Step-by-Step Guide for Communities. http://formbasedcodes.org/content/uploads/2013/11/CMAP-GuideforCommunities.pdf
[6]	City Data (2012) East Lansing, Michigan [Data File]. http://www.city-data.com/city/East-Lansing-Michigan.html
[7]	City of Lansing, Lansing Planning Office (2012). Design Lansing Comprehensive Plan. http://www.lansingmi.gov/media/view/Design_Lansing_Comprehensive_Plan__ADOPTED_April_9__2012 ___LowRez/3523
[8]	Daley, V. L. M. (2010). Form-Based Codes: One Tool for Reviving Walkable Neighborhoods in Urban Areas. Thesis, Ithaca: Cornell University.
[9]	Dogu, U., & Erkip, F. (2000). Spatial Factors Affecting Wayfinding and Orientation: A Case Study in a Shopping Mall. Environment and Behavior, 32, 731-755. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00139160021972775
[10]	East Lansing (2014). Code of Ordinances—Part II Chapter 32 Signs. https://www.municode.com/library/mi/east_lansing/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH32SI
[11]	Ford, M. A., & Torok, D. (2008). Motivational Signage Increases Physical Activity on a College Campus. Journal of American College Health, 57, 242-244. http://dx.doi.org/10.3200/JACH.57.2.242-244
[12]	Form-Based Codes Institute (2015). Form-Based Codes Defined. http://formbasedcodes.org/definition
[13]	Galindo, M. P. G., & Rodríguez, J. A. C. (2000). Environmental Aesthetics and Psychological Wellbeing: Relationships between Preference Judgments for Urban Landscapes and Other Relevant Affective Responses. Psychology in Spain, 4, 13- 27.
[14]	Geller, R. S. (2010). Legality of Form-Based Zoning Codes. The Journal of Land Use & Environmental Law, 26, 35-91.
[15]	Hansen, G. (2014). Design for Healthy Communities: The Potential of Form-Based Codes to Create Walkable Urban Streets. Journal of Urban Design, 19, 151-170. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13574809.2013.870466
[16]	Jourdan, D., Hurd, K., Hawkins, G., & Winson-Geideman, K. (2013). Evidence-Based Sign Regulation: Regulating Signage on the Basis of Empirical Wisdom. Urban Lawyer, 45, 327-348.
[17]	Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective. New York: Cambridge University Press.
[18]	Katz, P. (2005). Eight Advantages to Form Based Codes. Tampa, FL: City Government. http://www.tampagov.net/sites/default/files/land-development/files/Eight_Advantages_to_Form.pdf
[19]	Kettren, L., Anderson, C., Bedell, J., Campbell, M., Freeman, W., Hoekstra, J., & Meyer, P. L. (2010). Form Based Codes in 7 Steps. http://www.planningmi.org/downloads/fbc_guidebook_introduction_0.pdf
[20]	Kim, K. (2010). The Evaluation of the Impact of Form-Based Code and Conventional Zoning on Fort Mcpherson Redevelop- ment. Master’s Thesis, Atlanta, GA: Georgia Institute of Technology. https://smartech.gatech.edu/bitstream/handle/1853/34801/kim_keuntae_201008_mast.pdf?sequence=1
[21]	Kinoshita, Y., & Orlando, C. C. (2013). Art of Signage: The Regulation of Outdoor Murals and the First Amendment. Cardozo Law Review, 35, 867-896.
[22]	Lang, J. T. (2005). Urban Design: A Typology of Procedures and Products. Amsterdam: Elsevier.
[23]	Lang, J. T. (2007). Urban Design as a Discipline and as a Profession. In M. Larice, & E. Macdonald (Eds.), The Urban Design Reader (pp. 461-478). London: Routledge.
[24]	Lansing (2014). Code of Ordinances, Part 14—Building and Housing Code Title 4—Miscellaneous Building Regulations Chapter 1442—Signs. https://www.municode.com/library/mi/lansing/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_PT14BUHOCO_TIT4MIBURE
[25]	Lawlor, M. J. (2010). Gaining Ground in the Final Frontier: Surveying Legal Issues Raised by New England’s Form-Based Codes. Urban Lawyer, 43, 839-848.
[26]	Liu, C., & Burley, J. (2013). Landscape Evaluation Criteria: Dispersed Expectations. Modern Landscape Architecture. Proceedings of the 6th WSEAS International Conference on Landscape Architecture (LA?13), Nanjing, 17-19 November 2013, 19-23.
[27]	Matsuoka, R. H., & Kaplan, R. (2008). People Needs in the Urban Landscape: Analysis of Landscape and Urban Planning Contributions. Landscape and Urban Planning, 84, 7-19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2007.09.009
[28]	Morris, M., Hinshaw, M., Mace, D., & Weinstein, A. (2001). Context-Sensitive Signage Design. Chicago, IL: American Planning Association. https://www.planning.org/research/signs/pdf/contextsensitivesignagedesign.pdf
[29]	Nohl, W. (2001). Sustainable Landscape Use and Aesthetic Perception—Preliminary Reflections on Future Landscape Aesthetics. Landscape and Urban Planning, 54, 223-237. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0169-2046(01)00138-4
[30]	O’Neill, M. J. (1991). Effects of Signage and Floor Plan Configuration on Wayfinding Accuracy. Environment and Behavior, 23, 553-574. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0013916591235002
[31]	Palmer, J. F. (2000). Reliability of Rating Visible Landscape Qualities. Landscape Journal, 19, 166-178.
[32]	Parolek, D., Parolek, K., & Crawford, P. (2008) Form-Based Codes: A Guide for Planners, Urban Designers, Municipalities, and Developers. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
[33]	Place Shakers (2013). Ways to Fail at Form-Based Codes 01: Don’t Articulate a Vision. http://www.placemakers.com/2013/02/21/ways-to-fail-at-form-based-codes-01/
[34]	Portella, A. A. (2007). Evaluating Commercial Signs in Historic Streetscapes: The Effects of the Control of Advertising and Signage on User’s Sense of Environmental Quality. Ph.D. Thesis, Oxford: Oxford Brookes University. http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/10817/
[35]	Portella, A. A. (2014). Visual Pollution: Advertising, Signage and Environmental Quality. Surrey: Ashgate Pub.
[36]	Power, M. (2007). Beyond Zoning: Home Builders Seek Relief. Professional Builder. http://www.probuilder.com/beyond-zoning-home-builders-seek-relief
[37]	Purdy, J. R. (2006). Smart-Growth Tactics: Form-Based Codes, New Approaches to Zoning. Michigan Association of Planning. https://www.mml.org/pdf/map_article_issue28.pdf
[38]	Rangwala, K. (2012). Form-Based Codes. Economic Development Journal, 11, 35-40. http://ezproxy.msu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/1124470686?accountid=12598
[39]	Real, E., Arce, C., & Sabucedo, J. M. (2000). Classification of Landscapes Using Quantitative and Categorical Data, and Prediction of Their Scenic Beauty in North-Western Spain. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 20, 355-373. http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/jevp.2000.0184
[40]	Rexhausen, J., Hildebrandt, G., & Auffrey, C. (2012). The Economic Value of On-Premise Signage (SFI Research Report). Washington DC: The Signage Foundation, Inc. http://www.thesignagefoundation.org/Portals/0/EVOSFINALAugust2012.pdf
[41]	Sanford, J., & Finlay, T. (1988). The Effects of Exhibit Signage on Visitor Behavior. Nineteenth Annual Conferences of the Environmental Design Research Association, 19, 243-257. http://www.edra.org/sites/default/files/publications/EDRA19-Sanford-243-247.pdf
[42]	Scott, A. (2002). Assessing Public Perception of Landscape: The Landmap Experience. Landscape Research, 27, 271-295.
[43]	Senbel, M., van der Laan, M., Kellett, R., Girling, C., & Stuart, J. (2013). Can Form-Based Code Help Reduce Municipal Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Small Towns? The Case of Revelstoke, British Columbia. Canadian Journal of Urban Research, 22, 72-92.
[44]	Sieferle, R. P. (1986). Entstehung und Zerst?rung der Landschaft. In P. Smuda (Ed.), Frankfurt/M: Landschaft, 238-265.
[45]	Simpson, S. (2010). A Sense of Place: Can Form-Based Code Planning Contribute to the Public Realm of Prince Avenue? PhD Thesis, Athens, GA: University of Georgia. https://getd.libs.uga.edu/pdfs/simpson_scott_a_201005_mla.pdf
[46]	Smardon, R. C., Palmer, J. F., & Felleman, J. P. (1986). Foundations for Visual Project Analysis. New York: Wiley. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01426390220149520
[47]	Snyder, J. (2011). Beyond Aesthetics: How Billboards Affect Economic Prosperity. (Research Report). Washington DC: Sce- nic America. http://www.scenic.org/storage/PDFs/Beyond_Aesthetics.pdf
[48]	Stamps, A. E. (2004). Mystery, Complexity, Legibility and Coherence: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Environmental Psycho- logy, 24, 1-16. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0272-4944(03)00023-9
[49]	Turley, L. W., & Milliman, R. E. (2000). Atmospheric Effects on Shopping Behavior: A Review of the Experimental Evidence. Journal of Business Research, 492, 193-211. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0148-2963(99)00010-7
[50]	Tzeng, S. Y., & Huang, J. S. (2009). Spatial Forms and Signage in Wayfinding Decision Points for Hospital Outpatient Services. Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, 8, 453-460. http://dx.doi.org/10.3130/jaabe.8.453
[51]	United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (2014). Economy at a Glance: Lansing-East Lansing, MI [Data file]. http://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.mi_lansing_msa.htm
[52]	Vilar, E., Rebelo, F., & Noriega, P. (2012). Indoor Human Wayfinding Performance Using Vertical and Horizontal Signage in Virtual Reality. Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing & Service Industries, 24, 601-615. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hfm.20503
[53]	Walters, D. (2011). Smart Cities, Smart Places, Smart Democracy: Form-Based Codes, Electronic Governance and the Role of Place in Making Smart Cities. Intelligent Buildings International, 3, 198-218. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17508975.2011.586670
[54]	Wei, L. L. W. (2011). Function Follows Form: Study on American Form-Based Codes. Modern Urban Research, 3, 38-42.
[55]	Witter, S., & Crawford, P. (2013). Creating a World Class Community. East Lansing, MI: School of Planning, Design & Construction, Michigan State University.