Re: "topic of the month" as a mode of dialogue + intro

[FeeDickson]

Catriona asked:
'Does the method incorporate observing/talking
to/interacting with people in the place other than via background
research? There's a lot of interesting stuff around about mapping
space/place from a human activity perspective - eg space syntax analysis
(http://www.spacesyntaxlaboratory.org/ '

Urban design uses a huge variety of methods such as space syntax, and all were employed. I truly wish I could remember the name of the two other main research methods developed in the sevenmites, but I can't

As for Ilaud and 'reading the landscape/cityscape' although backed up by more standard urban design methods, (which is what I would call space syntax) this was relying heavily on an intuitive feel for place - which is why the students took part for 5 weeks and lived in the area; to give them a feel for the loacl community, it's problems, successes goals and ambitions. I attended the workshop in San Marino - a principality within Italy on a hilltop. Amazing place but with many poblems, one of the greatest of which was erosion of the landscape, the second of which being the area's utter reliance on tourism, giving it a 'false' atmosphere - it truly was a Disney land place, the castle was only built in the nineteenth century as a folly, yet there was a conspiracy of silence to let the tourists beleive it was the 'real thing' - the 14th century type it was modelled after. Our project was given to us by the local community, we had the mayor talk to us, local experts etc.

On our first night Gian Carlo's bridge/gate/sculpure was unveiled, the first of four proposed to mark the entrance to the town, and there was an enormous street party that all the inhabitants attended - free cake and champagne for the whole town! I left before the end of the project unfortunately, but all work done was exhibited to the town at another party...

Sorry for rambling on, howevere just wished to give you a flavour of what a truly interactive collaborative experience it was. When one reads the blurb, the amount of feminine/intuitive methodology used does not come across, however that was the way it actually worked.

I have studied space syntax done in cities - it is fascinating stuff and an incredible tool for exploring space. Urban designers are starting to be aware that all five sense can be used to understand place, and there is a new body of knowledge called 'urban psychology' which is absolutely incredible scientific/psychological research into the way people use and perceive space.. have just remembered it right now, must hunt down some references! Space syntax is perhaps the most hard-edged, scientific method within that field.

My body of interest when I was doing a postgrad in urban design/architecture was therefore taking space syntax etc further - not just empirical methods into space, such as people using left or right side- but actually gauging emotional reaction to space/place, using material that already exists - such as artwork, literature, poetry, music inspired by place. Imagine building something by waterloo bridge in London for example - and NOT listening to 'waterloo sunset' while you designed. one would have to be daft not to use it...

My first thesis investigated Prague, where I once lived, comparing methods such as space syntax and other urban design investigative tools (long time ago..forgottern them all now) with what one could learn about the city from 'tourist information..brochures etc' and finally with what could be understood about the city from reading Kundera's 'the unbearable lightness of being', an example of a seminal work of literature based in the city. Now my memory is slowly returning (have beeen ill for a few years) I'm dying to go back and take it further into a phd.; book; art exhibition...whatever.

finally..
Geography and psychology are merging in truly fascinating ways, and it is time the rest of the arts got on the bandwagon..

Fee

P.S. Bev, will go and look at your website asap..sounds very interesting..