PARADIGM OF THE URBAN SPACE SEMIOTICS

Abstract

The urban space unites two parallel dimensions in its substance - the inner human one and the real physical one. While interpreting this thesis, we proceed from the semiotic perspective via an analysis of the source of the town's semiotics by approaches which allow creation of a global basis of pertinence in the comprehension of the urban space as a context which unites reality and ideas. In that way, searching for their place and function in the system of symbols, that is, determining the elements which make the semiotic structure of the town and influence man's perception of material environment is the main task of this paper.

The analysis has shown that the presence of urban signs leaves its spatial imprint on the authentic identity of the physical structure, but that there are also contemplative elements which found the notion of town. What we are talking about here are the lifestyle, culture, tradition, social relations, politics, ideology, technical praxis, technological achievements, economic trends, social practices. It is precisely the synergy impacts of these elements and geometric appearances of the physical structure that, as we have concluded, make the semiotic structure of the urban space. Man perceives this synergy by means of strength of his own being, while articulations of the functional spaces and signs of the town's architecture, each of them marked by their inner energy, enable him to reassert himself as a spiritual being.

We are convinced that the approach to the reflections about the urban space semiotics that has been shown in this paper, can make a contribution to the understanding of the general urban experience, as well as a contribution to the general theory of urban design.