Sociological Studies

When designing for a community it is important to understand how the role of built environment can play on influencing individuals and the identity of a place. This study is proposed to gather and connect sociology theories to architecture and space that helped guide a solution towards place finding for the Muncie Mall. Four articles and two case studies were selected for this section of research. These studies cover a range of theories and ideologies both related to place making and architecture such as: place theory, symbolic interactionism, and architectural sociology to name a few. The research article titled “Evaluating Sense of Community in the Residential environment from the perspective of Symbolic Interactionism and Architecture Design” conducted and written by

Hanieh H. Molana and Richard E. Adams contains an in-depth overview of: the sociological theory symbolic interactionism, Architectural sociology, methodology, and a case study over the Ekbatan Residential Complex in Tehran. This article is significant in relating sociology to design and its impact on the community regarding architectural or urban design. Adams and Molana believe sociology should undoubtably be incorporated and used to shape urban infrastructures as they found that, “The

role that physical environments can play in influencing individuals’ perception and shared meaning are considerable in reinforcing a sense of community” (Molana and Adams 1600). Understanding how the built environment can affect the way people live, interact, and behave in social situations is something to take into account when designing for spaces to be built with great intentions for large social demand projects such as a shopping mall. With this knowledge prior to the design process, designers are able to enhance the quality of design for the structures. Programs of the mall and Ultimately, the quality of life within the community. The notion of self can be influenced within the physical environment and how a person can reflectively view their own self-worth (Molana and Adams 1599). Molana and Adams found that a shift from formalistic design to a more humanistic paradigm would be most beneficial in regular professional practice. To gain a different perspective on architectural sociology, the article titled “Symbolic Interaction Theory and Architecture” by Ronald W. Smith and Valerie Bugni highlights an abundance of research, ideology, and history all accompanying sociological studies related to architecture. Smith and Bugni describe architectural sociology as, “… the study of how socio-cultural phenomena influence

and are influenced by designed physical environment.” (Smith and Bugni 125) Their shared belief that architecture sociology encompasses a role larger than just the intentions of the already built environment is something that needed to be explored as architecture is made to reflect a community’s needs and its why. The article dives into how architecture sociology should be emersed in the design of the built environment while also showing how the design of those physical elements create identity, environment, and picture of reality that nourish human emotions and self (Smith and Bugni 126). Aside from current practice the article touches on historical buildings such as the Western Wall in

Jerusalem. This supports the ideology that symbolic architecture doesn’t revolve around complex design yet in contrary can flourish social purpose in abstract or simple forms. Smith and Bugni support this ideology by stating, “As symbolic, sites condense powerful meaning and values; they comprise key elements in a system of communication used to articulate social relations.” (Smith and Bugni 129) Through Smith and Bugni’s research they continue to tie the relationships of how building purpose in social structures and community can translate to physical form. With these theories and ideologies, I see purpose and form being reinstated in modern malls starting with architectural sociology to build stronger purpose to purpose that reflects each community. Both of these articles gave knowledge and a different scope into the design process of architecture purpose that are not common in practice. Though these topics aren’t touched on often in relation to architecture, I certainly learned a thorough explanation of how these two professions overlap and can benefit one another. These two articles agree that Symbolic Interactionism and

Architecture Design should be integrated into modern architecture. However, their research varied as the article “Symbolic Interaction Theory and Architecture” by Ronald W. Smith and Valerie Bugni dove into history and broad examples that highlight multiple ideologies and sociological theories. While the article, “Evaluating Sense of Community in the Residential environment from the perspective of Symbolic Interactionism and Architecture Design” written by Hanieh H. Molana and Richard E. Adams creates a narrower focus into more modern living communities. Much like the last two articles, Shukran QAZIMI’s article “Sense of place and place identity” looks to underline several sociological ideologies, terminology, and how place identity is focused on the relationship between sociological situations and the physical environment. Starting with a strong focus in place and identity, QAZIMI elaborates into various topics such as: theories of

identity, the identity process theory, discussion of theory, and a sense of place in politics, resistance to politics, and a neutral place. In comparison to the previous studies listed in this section, which

have highlighted case studies and content specific to architectural sociology, this article specializes content around and toward the understanding of sense of place and place identity theories. This article is unique as it gives an edge into a broad branch of sociology that will ultimately build a better understanding of placemaking and sense of identity within the Muncie community. The final article in this section “A Space for Place in Sociology” written by Thomas F. Gieryn reflects some common themes related back in the previous articles such as place theory and sociology related to architecture. What makes this journal article unique is the author’s definitive process behind breaking down each factor that plays a role in the sociology in place. Sections of his work such as “Emplacing Difference and Hierarchy” and “Power-Vessels and Strongholds” tie strongly with the literature and support Gieryn’s overarching ideology for sociology related to place (Gieryn). In his article, Gieryn emphasizes that: “Place is not just a setting, a backdrop, stage, or context for something else that becomes the focus for sociological attention, nor is it a proxy for demographic, structural, economic, or behavior” (Gieryn 466). From Gieryn’s point of view, the idea of a place is broken down into three sufficient features: graphic location, material form, and investment with meaning and value (Gieryn 129). Following the introduction, the sections “Making Metatheoretical premises” and “Place Making” create the foundation for his research by dissecting and elaborating on definitions while creating a common understanding for broader terminology. This is done by defining larger terms and breaking down their counterparts before diving deeper into more specific literature. For example, in the section titled “Proximity, Interaction, Community” Gieryn reveals research related specifically to communities and purpose. Gieryn explains that communities that are actually purified compared to disorder can sometimes lose when compared. Informal meeting places such as corner stores, churches, and clubs provide people with great opportunity to converse. Bundling back to the relation of Malls, specifically the Muncie Mall, Gieryn’s work defining the sociology of place and its counter parts will play a vital role while defining the placemaking that the Muncie Mall needs. The literature from the four articles suggest that sociology should be carried into the design process when designing spaces for public use. An overarching theme from the two case studies in the articles “Evaluating Sense of Community in the Residential environment from the perspective