The impact of socio-sensory knowledge on place making

Abstract

The emergence of ‘mega cities’ is a growing phenomenon. It is seen as an undeniable manifestation of modernity. But who’s idea of modernity? Many cities in emerging nations caught up in the global process of urban regeneration pursue a western model of modernity and urbanity without much consideration for its impact on social sustainability. This can result in entrenching already inequitable conditions where policies typically address the interests of elite minorities. This paper presents an alternative approach to analysing and engaging with place and its sociality to reveal nuanced place making practices of existing communities giving voice to marginalized groups and views. Presented within the context of fieldwork studies in the Melbourne suburb of Footscray, this paper focuses on the multimodal mapping technique developed to identify and analyse sensory embodied practice. Ethnographic data supplemented by audio and visual recordings are synthesized and represented in a series of multimodal diagrams based the concept of vertical montage which explores the relationships between time, space and activity. This paper also briefly presents a design exploration of a Master of Architecture student at the University of Melbourne who adopted the mapping technique, developing a richly experiential and programmatically appropriate design for urban regeneration. Time-based methods reveal that every day practices create their own epistemic spaces where specific constructs of knowing and being are enacted by specific bodies of differing capacities and cultures. This knowledge could help inform the development of regional model of ‘modernity’ that is socially sustainable and specific to place. One that attempts to address inequity in the participation process and acknowledges the importance of existing spatial practices in creating complex and pluralistic urban spaces.