The Role of Spatial Configuration on Spatial Cognition: Insights from the Historic Grid City of Kandy, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, a country rich in cultural heritage, is undergoing significant infrastructure development in recent years. This development creates a conflict between modernization and the preservation of city character, impacting the spatial configurations that play a crucial role in spatial cognition for its users. historic This study employed a mixed-method approach to assess subjective perceptions using Kevin Lynch’s theories through structured interviews and questionnaires, where respondents drew cognitive maps. It also utilized objective measures of street configuration via the space syntax method by Bill Hillier and DepthmapX software. Findings revealed that most perceived landmarks are linked to their historical significance, function, and physical features like height, color, and mass. Perceived paths were influenced by personal experience, buildings along the path, and physical features such as building height, façade character, and path orientation. The study concludes by providing insights for future urban planning interventions to preserve historic city identities through a deeper understanding of city imagery, element interrelation, and city arrangement.