Living in Density

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Living in Density

Dawber, Mikayla

URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10429/2576

Date: 2024-05-20

Abstract:

The core of our shared experiences can be found in the variety of urban life, where human behavior interacts with diverse urban environments. As the scale of cities continues to grow, the need to prioritize people in urban development becomes more and more significant, challenging the conventional emphasis on physical elements. This thesis delves into the complex relationship of psychology, social dynamics, and the built environment, bringing insight into the various elements of urban life. This thesis introduces the 'elements of density' framework, which is a fresh methodology. This framework—Scale, Proximity, Senses, Cores, Third Places—allows for a comprehensive understanding of urban life, including its social, psychological, and physical components. These elements have the ability to determine and influence our perceptions, comprehension, and experiences of everything around us. Learning and analysing the work of notable urbanists such as Kevin Lynch and Jane Jacobs, it challenges the psychological underlying urban attachment, recognizing the nuanced relationship of nostalgia and perception in shaping our urban environments. Through an in-depth investigation and involvement with multiple experiences, this research aims to encourage the development of vibrant cities. This multidisciplinary analysis is intended to improve the understanding of the complex elements of urban living and function as a tool to enhance the way we live in cities.

Description:

Our understanding of cities often remains oversimplified by ideas and preconceptions. The thesis explores the psychological understandings of urban experiences, emphasizing the importance of challenging these simple narratives and highlighting the diversity of urban life. By examining how individuals imagine and experience cities, valuable insights are provided into human and social dynamics, advancing the knowledge and thinking around urbanism. A more nuanced approach to urban planning and design is important, taking into account the psychological dimensions of urban existence. This thesis builds upon foundational concepts such as Kevin Lynch’s theory of city imageability and Henri Lefebvres theory on our perceptions of urban space, while also considering contemporary insights into urban desires and neighborhood experiences. Nostalgia, emotional well-being, and social connections shape our perceptions of cities, revealing the importance of creating vibrant and livable communities. Urban planners and designers can create more inclusive, responsive, and resilient cities that cater to the diverse needs and desires of residents. The methodologies used in this thesis aim to understand the intricate interplay between psychology, preconceived notions, and urbanism. Through a simplified mass model of urban densities, the study shows how past experiences shape individuals’ assumptions and perceptual understandings of different urban conditions. By envisioning the qualities of a place with no contextual information provided, different factors are shown that influence our urban perceptions. A perceptual and photo ethnography study highlights the impact of various elements such as scale, proximity, greenery, and light on people’s perceptions of urban spaces, drawing upon Kevin Lynch’s concept of the imageability of cities. Informed by Lynch’s framework, the study re-frames his elements to understand city density and experiences more deeply, creating the identification of the elements of urban spaces: proximity, scale, senses, cores, and third places. A series of interviews conducted for this study highlights individuals’ memories and experiences in their current or childhood homes, uncovering the significance they attach to their communities and their perceptions of different levels of density. Engaging individuals from various cities and towns across Canada, the interviews find diverse perspectives on the crucial elements contributing to the livability of communities. The interviews were concluded with a forward-looking question, prompting participants to envision cities in the next 100 years. Despite unanimous visions of highly dense urban spaces, the interviews reveal an attachment to aspects of smaller communities, offering a nuanced understanding of individuals’ preferences and desires for future urban development. Opponents might argue that the methodologies demonstrated have limitations in capturing the complexity of urban experiences, and could be oversimplifying the nature of urban life. The study may be too generalized, particularly in the interview study which includes various individuals from diverse cities and towns in Canada. It could be argued that the insights gathered from a specific geographic region may not be applicable to urban contexts globally, and therefore, the conclusions drawn from these studies may not hold true universally. Urban preferences are also influenced by practical factors such as affordability, job opportunities, and access to amenities rather than psychological perceptions alone. Some research methodologies, such as simplified mass models and perceptual studies, have inherent limitations in capturing the complexity of urban experiences. These methods may provide valuable insights but struggle to fully show the diverse range of factors influencing people’s perceptions and experiences of cities. Different cultural, socio-economic, and political factors could influence urban perceptions and experiences in ways not shown in this study. Recognizing the balance between psychological factors and other influences on urban perceptions and experiences is essential. While the research highlights the importance of psychological perspectives in the urban environment, it’s important to acknowledge that factors such as socio-economic status, cultural background, and urban policies also play significant roles in shaping urban environments and people’s experiences within them. This thesis highlights an exploration of the complex interplay between psychology, preconceived notions, and urbanism, aiming to understand the complexity of urban experiences. Through diverse methodologies, from simplified mass models to perceptual studies and interviews, this research shows underlying factors influencing individuals’ perceptions and experiences within urban environments. It highlights the significant roles of factors such as nostalgia, emotional well-being, and social connections in shaping the constructs of urban life.

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