THE ROLE OF MEDIUM AND TECHNOLOGY IN PERCEPTION, RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATION OF URBAN OPEN SPACE QUALITIES

Abstract

This paper explores the relation between urban open space qualities (their perception, recognition and presentation) and the possibilities of different medium and technologies to represent them during the design process. Starting with Tom Turner's hypothesis that “the medium is the message” we shall first discuss the relation between values of open space that were promoted in different urban theories and the designer’s choice of different medium to represent them. Secondly, the relation between new technologies and contemporary approaches in defining values in open space design will be established and the possibilities of using new technologies (digital imaging, video, 3d modeling...) in perceiving, mapping, analyzing and expressing complexity of state and development of contemporary urban landscapes - will be explored. In relation to this, we’ll finally try to identify the influence that new technologies may have on education in the field of urban open space design.