3. Identity

3. Identity

5.1 Rootedness

why species want a sense of place?

“To be human is to live in a world that is filled with significant places, to be human is to have and know your place”. (Edward relph, 1976)

In his book place and placeleness relph (1976) states that the more intense the emotional connect one has in a certain place the stronger he/she will identify himself with it relph (1976) claimed that there is an inherent want for a person, which is to belong to a certain place or community, It is necessary for people to both be

able to experience a sense of belonging to a place and be able to recognise

varied identities as they proceed in space. The individual identity of a place can be recognised by a sense of distinctiveness when being at specific areas, a feeling of uniqueness or even with visible separation in between places to indicate the changes that occur in environments. For ex-Landscape elements and features provide more meaning to places and can change the public’s attitude towards it. The term identity as the ability to distinguish an object among others due to its characteristics and to realise it is a separate entity, district among others. The same occurs in spatial identity. (lynch, 1960) To be able to create places with distinctive to comprehend the process of how the public gains a sense of place and the meanings attached in local spaces, identity is strongly connected with imageability, the characteristics that will evoke a strong mental image in the onlooker. Additionally the identity of a place is more or less defined by the activities/functions occurring in that space. Individual and mass identity is greatly influenced by the built environment giving it social value to accommodate the various needs of the public. (ujang, 2015) relph ( 1976) also argues that close attachment , familiarity and preservation of a place can be connected with the sense of belonging. This attachment/ feeling can also be called rootedness, the sense of having roots in a place, fitting in it and having formed a bond with it.

The perception of a place is not only physical or emotional, but allows the user

to adapt his/her behaviour according to the properties of the place. In this way the user starts feeling accepted and secure in the environment. This psychological adaptation is activated through the human interpretation to achieve the emotional feeling of security and control.

Figure 16 / Source- Author

5.2 Meaning

“Meaningful places becomes of point of engagement”

As specified by (speller, 2000) that has attained meaning through people’s interaction and continuous association with it. Similarly, relph ( 1976,p.59) claims that the activities, experiences and motives people have within space is what provides it with meaning and transforms it from space to place Heidegger in his book being and time ( 1962) examines the nature in ‘being’ by using the term ‘dasein’ which means ‘ being there’ existing and somewhere in the world. In his work dwelling is not only linked to living in a building but creating a world which has meaning and the user is emotionally attached to it . Additionally (Norberg-Schulz, 2018) looked into the concept of ‘genius loci’, the ‘spirit’ of a place, its unique character setting it apart from all rest. He claims that the architect should be able to envision the ‘genius loci’ of place and that he has a responsibility to design places with meaning and significance to assist man to dwell within the environment

What makes a place meaningful?

Humans have an inherent need to apply meaning and significance to any place.Every human has connections and associations with certain parts of the urban environment and this relationship is filled with meanings attached to each place. The viewer selects, organises and provides meaning in what he sees and encounters daily. This meaning can be either practical or emotional. However the meaning given to places varies. The world is perceived differently by each human due to diverse experiences, education, social, economic and even psychological factors (lynch,1960,p.1-9). It is suggested that locations where place associate activities happen become more meaningful. This can happen with places like home, office, store etc. it

can also be argued the locations are more meaningful to the users as they act

as boarders between diverse roles and social settings like notion of home is connected to private and dwelling and work is related to being employed and functioning within a group. However, meaningful places can also exist in

specific social contexts amongst groups or because they are easily

recognisable and identifiable and may aid navigation in cities. (bhattacharya, 2008)

Figure 17 / Source - Author

5.3 Experience

“We know not through our intellect but through our experience” – Mourice merleau- ponty

Identification occurs with experience. Through the persistent negotiation and renegotiation of the architectural forms, objects and activities happening within the place. (loannidis, 2011) (Canter, 1977) claims that urban cities are usually neutral. When a person is approaching an unfamiliar environment they usually have a feeling of uncertainty. This is understanble as the form and general organisation of a place cannot be fully comprehended at first glance. On the contrary, place acquires more meaning with repeated visits, continuous exposure to the urban settling and through comprehending its spatial characteristics. The sense of belonging and rootedness is connected with the experiences people have in space. Nonetheless a loss of form and distinctiveness could also affect attachment to a place. Therefore when studying a place it is important to take into account not only its form and structure but the ways humans dwell, experience -the visual experience,the auditory experience,the olfactory experience, the tactile experience and feel within it as we are both emotive and rational beings.

“we built on the senses we know”

Figure 18 / Source-Author

5.4 Inference

“The concept of 'Sense of Place', 'Place Attachment' and 'Place Identity' could describe the quality of people's connections with a place”

Wateredges are inextricably linked to significant places with strong identitiesas an origin and lifeline of the cities.

When trying establish the connection between the cities and wateredges characteristics are scrutinised. Points of connection, pathways, architecture, materiality, texture, landscaping, street furniture, relation to water and viewpoints are some of the factors that contribute to the formulation of the character of the place moreover the smells,noises and sounds water generates,whether sea, river or pond are widely different from the city’s core making the wateredge even more distinguishable. The emotive response it evokes is important to acquire a full embodied experience of the location. All these leave a stronger impression of place to the public, make it more unique, meaning, provide a strong sensory experience and therefore attract a multitude of people Arendt and Habermas believed that the definition of a place is essential for its continued existence. (Swanson, 1992) that is, a place without definition cannot

survive.

Additionally another point that needs to be taken into consideration is that different users observe and perceive the edges in dissimilar ways depending on their own personal intended use of the edgespace. Therefore residents, devotees,tourists, swimmers, fishermen, sailors, workers may possibly have different views on this urban area (west, 1989) Hence, the identity of a place is reflected in more than just the physical form, but also involves a social and symbolic meaning for individual and the community Wateredges have been extensively used by humans in the past, present and future for their inherent fascination and attraction to nature, utility in living travel, trade, recreation, living and rituals and have also suffered cycles of abuse and neglect from these very use patterns resulting to shifting identities

and definition of its use

Personal Context

Place identity Place Dependence Rootedness

Community Context

Attachment Belongingness Ownership Social Bonding Nature Bonding

Place Identity & Dependence

Natural Context

Connectedness to nature Environmental identity

Figure 19 / Dimensions of Place attachment by Raymond et al.2010 / Source- Author

CHAPTER 4

Vi c t i m

Figure 20 / Source- Google