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.
Highlights
Developing from New Urbanism, form-based codes have been used since the early 1980s as an effective urban design guideline and as an alternative design tool for conventional zoning codes across the US (Parolek, Parolek, & Crawford, 2008)
Given that the effects of a form-based signage code on an urban streetscape compared to a conventional zoning code application have not been central to previous signage research, this study explored whether different signage code applications affect users’ aesthetic perception of urban streetscapes
Creating pedestrian focused street signs, urban density, mixed-use buildings and aesthetic signage will require a means of crafting codes and regulating implementation which allows for new and contextually appropriate solutions
Summary
Developing from New Urbanism, form-based codes have been used since the early 1980s as an effective urban design guideline and as an alternative design tool for conventional zoning codes across the US (Parolek, Parolek, & Crawford, 2008). Conventional zoning codes have traditionally focused on the protection of public health, safety, and welfare by separating residential land use from industrial or commercial uses (Parolek, et al, 2008). By treating the signs as land use, rather than as a form of commercial communication, the application of zoning codes on commercial signage has given rise to several issues and areas of debate. Among these are visual clutter, disorganization in development patterns, and disputes over signage regulations (Jourdan et al, 2013; Kinoshita & Orlando, 2013)
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