Goals:

- To hone your observation skills
- To observe the use of a public or semi-public space to ascertain patterns of behavior that emerge in the setting;
- To provide you with the opportunity to think more critically about the appearance and use of public space

Assignment:

Map Drawing:

Select a public or semi-public setting that you enjoy or find interesting. It can be either on or off campus. Once you have selected a site, draw a map/floor plan of the space as accurately as possible. Then, spend some time there, making observations of how people use it. You should visit the space on at least two different occasions. Spend at least a half-hour there on each visit observing activities.

Observations of people:

After you have observed for a short while, you will begin to see patterns develop. As you observe, develop a list of the various behaviors you see (e.g. eating, reading, paths of movement), and see if you can develop categories of behaviors. Then, devise a set of symbols – a map legend – to use to mark the behaviors you see on the site.

Mapping the behavior in space:

Once you have developed a list of behaviors and a set of symbols that you are satisfied with, indicate on your map what is happening in different parts of the setting. Once you have mapped this out, study your map – does it indicate anything you weren’t expecting? How did the environment support the behaviors you observed?