| Urban Design Theory/Key Hypothesis | Original Science Footing | Subsequent Validation | Subsequent Use (Urban Design Literature) |
| The Image of the City. There is a single (or more than one) public image of the city, articulated through five elements that are suitable for using as the building blocks for urban design | - On the basis of small pilot study - Tentative with appropriate caveats - Informed by social science literature - “Urbanistic” precursors of five elements not reported | - Partial positive confirmation of five elements - Alternative elements not investigated - No overall testing nor validation of overall linked hypothesis | - Generally uncritical affirmation as if factually established - Generally not reflecting existence of subsequent testing |