Study on the evaluation of View Corridor Policy in Seattle, WA, USA

摘要

This study focuses on View Corridor Policy of Seattle Downtown as one of view protection method making use of city's own identity. This study has two aims; understanding the existing condition and the result of view corridor policy, and finding out the importance of control of scenic view protection and physical elements that contribute to improve the effect of view control. Through referring to literature, fieldwork and visual experiments, this study shows the impression of scenic view and how view corridor policy works in Seattle Downtown. As conclusion, in the existing condition, City of Seattle preserves the view of the Elliott Bay as all Seattle people's property. To preserve it, City of Seattle has View Corridor Policy and View Corridor Setback Policy. Generally, the character of view in Downtown Seattle is familiarity and identity explored by impact factor analysis. Especially, the view of the bay has the unique character; identity, openness and continuity. Setback contributes to increase the better impression of the view. Focusing on elements composing view, street trees, the bay and the island are always recognized as elements composing good view. Buildings elements like walls and skylines work both well and badly on the impression. To make View Corridor Policy effective, three methods are explored. The first is strict observance of View Corridor Setback Policy. The second is to balance of control of trees with that of other components of the view of the bay. The third is to make design control of wall of buildings on View Corridors.