Kijklijn

Kijklijn is a Dutch term that literally translates to line of sight or viewline. It refers to the straight line along which a viewer, observer, or camera has visibility from a specific position to a target point. The concept is used across several disciplines to assess what can be seen and to manage obstructions in the line of sight.

In architecture and urban planning, kijklijnen are lines of sight considered when placing windows, facades, and public features. Planners study kijklijnen from pedestrian routes, plazas, and intersections to ensure important elements such as monuments or landmarks are visible and to prevent sight lines from being blocked by vegetation, fences, or parked vehicles.

In traffic safety and transportation engineering, kijklijnen help guarantee sufficient visibility for drivers and pedestrians at intersections, curves, and access points. Regulations may define acceptable obstructions and required clear sight lines for signage, landscaping, and other features to maintain safe navigation.

In media production, including film and theatre, kijklijn corresponds to eyelines or camera viewpoints. Maintaining coherent kijklijnen among actors and between camera angles helps preserve the illusion of interaction and guides the audience’s attention across the frame. Set design can also be influenced by kijklijnen to ensure spatial relationships are perceived correctly.

Variations exist between domains, and the term is sometimes used interchangeably with sightlines, lines of sight, or view corridors depending on local practice. In all uses, kijklijn serves as a practical concept for evaluating and preserving visibility in a given space or composition.