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Building on the work of Kelly (1955) in personal construct psychology, and Peled (1976, I990) in ecoanalysis, this paper develops projective techniques-which use concepts of personal and phenomenological space-as a means for articulating approaches to landscape design. The projective approach involves two stages. In stage one, projective techniques are used to elicit personal constructs (which may be held at a pre-conscious or sub-conscious level), allowing the holistic experience of landscape to be explored. In stage two, using a 'projection location task' derived from the way we experience and construe the regions of our own bodies, elements of these constructs can then be articulated so as to inform the way we interact and engage with the space around us. This gives insight into the meaning of spatial layouts, which can then be translated into a design language for the structural ordering of space. The author draws on original research conducted with children as well as adults, using projective techniques to draw out their desires and needs in relation to designing their landscape environment. The paper discusses the value of such methods for landscape designers and their clients, and outlines some ongoing research to test the validity of the projection location task.

The development of Edinburgh Zoological Garden was a pioneering example of the modern approach to animal display, placing animals in naturalistic settings that demanded innovative landscape design. The concept for Edinburgh Zoo, opened in 1913, was devised by Patrick Geddes and developed in collaboration with Frank C Mears and Geddes's daughter, Norah.

Prispevek je posvečen eni izmed znanstvenih metod, vključenih v trenutno raziskavo o uspešnosti javnih odprtih prostorov v mestu pri zagotavljanju raznovrstnih potreb mestnega prebivalstva glede na osnovne prostorske razsežnosti posameznih prvin mestne krajine. Namen je predstaviti opazovanje in vedenjske zemljevide, znanstvenoraziskovalni tehniki na področju raziskav o odnosih med okoljem in njegovimi uporabniki. Bechtel in sodelavci opazovanje definirajo kot metodo, opredeljeno s petimi parametri: vedenje, okolje, čas, opazovalec in zapis opazovanja. Vedenjski zemljevid je pripomoček oziroma orodje za zapis vedenja ljudi v določenem okolju. Obe tehniki sta bili uporabljeni v omenjeni raziskavi o javnih odprtih prostorih v mestu, na primeru Edinburgha. Ker je omenjena raziskava še v teku, prispevek ne komentira rezultatov, ampak se omejuje zgolj na metodološki pristop v preučevanju javnega mestnega odprtega prostora. Ta je obravnavan kot kompleksen pojav, ki ga določa vzajemni odnos prostorskih razsežnosti in meril človeka. Uvodno poglavje prispevka zato na kratko omenja bistvene odnose med prostori, rabo in uporabniki.

The paper presents some methods from a current research that investigates the effectiveness of public urban open space in meeting spatial dimensions and human needs. It discusses research techniques in environmental and behavioural research such as observation and behavioural mapping. Bechtel and associates describe observation as a method having five dimensions: behaviour, environment, time, observer and record of observation. A behavioural map is an observational tool for recording people’s behaviour. Both techniques are used in a case study that looks at public urban open spaces in the Edinburgh city centre. Because this research is in progress, the article does not include results. It represents the use of the method and the developed tools used for this particular case, presents and comments on observation and it’s recording in terms of an analytical tool in evaluating public urban open space. Public urban open space is seen as a complex phenomenon defined by the interplay of spatial and human dimensions, therefore the introduction discusses some general objectives of public urban open space, with regard to use and users.