Colors and landscapes: a new approach in color planning through chromatic effects
In France, color planning, i.e. the planning of color or development of color within the built environment, is very little considered in urban planning strategies, except in protected areas with historical buildings. The reference methods implemented in the 1970s, based on heritage preservation and development, do not enable the consideration of specific architectural typologies, in particular the contemporary buildings that use materials with bright or unusual colors. To address these issues, this research work proposes to study the question of urban color through the concept of chromatic effect, which stems from the notion of sound effect (Augoyard et Torgue, 1995). We aim at providing the key players in urban development with a tool that would allow them to replace color within the development processes. We present the concept of chromatic effect and test it with a survey based on the commented walk principles (Thibaud, 2001). The results of this survey lead us to propose the outline of a directory, which defines and illustrates about twenty chromatic effects that are likely to be perceived by citizens during their walks through contemporary cities. Graphical representations using digital imagery are proposed to express, communicate and discuss these effects. The directory of chromatic effects is thus a part of the development of a common language around color, both for the experts and the inhabitants, which enables an operational approach for this phenomenon within urban and landscape development.