“Sense of place”, as a multidimensional concept, involves the emotional, cultural, and identity connections between individuals and specific locations. It represents the unique feelings and perceptions people have towards a place, reflecting the emotional bonds and attachments between individuals and locations (Boyko, 2014). Research on the sense of place holds significant importance in urban, community, and architectural development. Firstly, a sense of place can assist decision-makers in better understanding residents’ perceptions and emotions towards the city, thereby formulating urban planning policies that align more closely with residents’ needs and expectations. By studying the sense of place, one can reveal residents’ preferences and attitudes towards the urban environment, providing a foundation for urban design and construction. Secondly, the sense of belonging in a community can enhance community cohesion and a sense of belonging, promoting interaction and cooperation among community residents. At the same time, a sense of place can also help communities discover and protect the uniqueness and characteristics of the place, enhancing the attractiveness and competitiveness of the community. Lastly, a sense of place also holds significant importance in architectural design and construction. The sense of place in architecture can be achieved through considerations of integrating buildings with their environmental context, inheriting historical and cultural values, and fostering a sense of community belonging.

 

Sense of place is a type of advanced emotion, distinct from basic emotions such as anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, and surprise (Kreibig & Gross, 2017). Sense of place focuses more on people’s complex emotional and cognitive experiences towards a place, closely related to an individual’s experiences, cultural background, and identity (Wang et al., 2022). The study of a sense of place is an interdisciplinary field, involving psychology, sociology, anthropology, environmental design, and other disciplines. Through a deep understanding of the sense of place, we can better promote harmonious relationships between people and the environment, improving the quality of life. In this workshop, we will delve into Singapore, a garden city, focusing on the differences in cognition and emotions towards familiar and unfamiliar public spaces. We have selected four types of public spaces that embody a sense of place in the city: urban parks, historical and cultural districts, community markets, and landmarks. These places are the heart of urban and community life, where residents engage in daily shopping, socializing, and other activities. They play a significant role in fostering a sense of place and community cohesion.

 

The diverse environments of the four distinct types of urban public spaces significantly impact individuals’ sensory and psychological states. Therefore, this workshop aims to introduce a rigorous methodology that leverages panoramic cameras to capture urban spaces’ visual information and subsequently recreate them in a controlled laboratory setting using VR technology. Employing physiological measurement techniques, we seek to quantitatively assess the influence of urban spatial components on individuals’ sense of place by recording real-time physiological data, including eye movements, galvanic skin response, and heart rate. Furthermore, we strive to identify the influencing factors of various components, building upon the findings of Fu et al. (2023).

 

To delve deeper into this intricate topic, the workshop will center on four interrelated discussions. Firstly, we will explore the expression and impact of a sense of place in urban spaces, analyzing how spatial configurations shape individuals’ perception and experiences. Secondly, we will discuss the crucial role of data collection in urban environments, emphasizing the importance of accurate and comprehensive data for understanding the influence of different places on people’s sense of place. Thirdly, we will focus on the processing and interpretation of physiological measurements, discussing methods to effectively analyze and interpret these data to gain insights into individuals’ responses to urban spaces. Lastly, we will delve into inspirations for future urban designs, discussing how these insights can inform more responsive and human-centered urban planning and spatial design.

 

Required Skills: All levels
Required Software: Excel, Python, Anaconda
Required Hardware: Laptop