The New Jersey Institute of Technology's
Electronic Theses & Dissertations Project

Title:	The poetic streetscape
Author:	Profeta, Joan Wegman
View Online:	njit-etd1992-006 (vii, 85 pages ~ 16.9 MB pdf)
Department:	School of Architecture
Degree:	Master of Architecture
Program:	Architecture
Document Type:	Thesis
Advisory Committee:	Zdepski, M. Stephen (Committee chair) Mostoller, Michael (Committee member) Hewitt, Mark A. (Committee member)
Date:	1992-05
Keywords:	Architecture, Domestic--United States Architecture, Aesthetic--United States Streetscape
Availability:	Unrestricted
Abstract:	Suburbia continues to consume more and more of the rural countryside, replacing the vistas of open fields and farmsteads with prolific road patterns and individualized residential structures. As the new growth continues, the local character disappears. In addition, the new development, with the exception of some individualized works, offers little in aesthetic replacement value. In response, the following work develops a Country Theory for aesthetic building in rural areas. As suburban growth revolves around streets, the theory is built around streetscape. What is streetscape, and in particular, what should it be when building streetscape in the country? The discussion begins by looking at Perceptual Theory, or how we see. What makes objects and spaces more "visual", i.e. noticed? Aesthetic Theory follows, explaining how the visual world can be most beautifully designed. The town of Short Hills, New Jersey is studied for specific examples of this theory's expression. A discussion on Country Landscape Theory analyses the physical nature of the countryside, both natural and man-made; Suburban Country Theory is a synthesis of the preceeding theories; Country Theory is a visual illustration of the actual process; and Collaborative Thoughts reinforces the concept. The discussion ends with an outline for future development of aesthetic streetscape in a rural setting.