Urban Design Thesis | Sensing The Invisible

Summary

In this presentation, Shu, a postgraduate student from the RB College of Architecture in Bangalore, explores the concept of 'Urban Senscape' and its impact on place identity. Focusing on visual and oral senscape, Shu introduces a toolkit designed to analyze and enhance sensory experiences in urban environments. The toolkit includes methods for identifying sensory stimuli, conducting surveys, and mapping emotional associations. By applying these strategies in a traditional city context, Shu aims to create engaging sensory routes that improve urban life. The panelists commend the innovative approach, highlighting the importance of multisensory considerations in architecture.

Takeaways

• 😀 Shu, a postgraduate student from the RB College of Architecture in Bangalore, presented their thesis titled 'Sensing the Invisible'.
• 🌆 The thesis focuses on urban senscape and the concept of place identity, emphasizing the connection between surroundings and individual identity.
• 🔍 The study identifies three interrelated components of place identity: physical setting, activities within that setting, and the imagery or symbolism associated with the place.
• 🎨 The thesis aims to explore sensory experiences and emotional associations related to urban environments, focusing on visual and oral senscape due to time limitations.
• 📊 A toolkit has been developed to analyze sensory attributes and improve the sensory experience in urban spaces, consisting of eight parts.
• 🧠 The toolkit includes parameters for visual and sound stimuli, emotional responses, and methods for mapping sensory attributes.
• 📈 A sensory perception survey was conducted to gather qualitative data, with 62 responses focusing on the emotional impacts of different sensory stimuli.
• 🗺️ Multimodal mapping is used to visually represent sensory settings, including both visual cues and sound sources along specific routes.
• 🌿 The research highlights the importance of integrating sensory design into urban planning to enhance place attachment and create engaging environments.
• 🔧 Implementation strategies suggest integrating multisensory guidelines into city development plans, allowing for flexibility in application to enhance urban sensory experiences.

Q & A

What is the title of Shu's thesis?

The title of Shu's thesis is 'Sensing the Invisible.'

What concept does the thesis focus on?

The thesis focuses on the concept of 'Urban Senscape' and the sensory experiences that contribute to place identity.

What are the three interrelated components contributing to place identity?

The three components are the physical setting, the activities within that setting, and the image or symbolism of the place.

Why is there a focus on sensory experiences in urban design?

The focus is to address the current trend of creating homogeneous sensory spaces that can either be sensory deficient or overloaded.

What toolkit does Shu develop in the thesis?

Shu develops a toolkit to analyze and improve the sensory experience of urban spaces.

Which sensory dimensions does Shu primarily concentrate on?

Shu primarily concentrates on visual and oral senscape due to project limitations.

How does Shu collect data for sensory experiences?

Shu conducts a sensory perception survey to gather qualitative data on people's emotional associations with sensory stimuli.

What are the sensory scape indicators?

Senscape indicators are qualitative and quantitative attributes that need to be controlled or enhanced to improve the sensory experience.

What is the significance of the sensory routes developed in the thesis?

The sensory routes aim to create engaging and comfortable sensory environments that strengthen place identity and attachment.

What recommendations does Shu make for integrating sensory design into urban planning?

Shu suggests that sensory design should be integrated into city development plans, including flexible guidelines to improve and preserve sensory experiences.