TY - JOUR

T1 - Understanding identity and belonging through incidental spaces

AU - Rajendran, Lakshmi

PY - 2016/8/1

Y1 - 2016/8/1

N2 - The dynamic changes in contemporary urban living have led to an increasingly ambiguous and complex nature of spatial experiences in cities. This characteristic nature of urban environment seldom allows for a spontaneous and meaningful spatial engagement making it difficult for developing a sense of place and identity with the environment. In the context of this existing complexity of urban spatialities and changing notions of place/space relationship, this paper is set out to explore the potentialities of unconventional urban spaces - referred to in this paper as ‘incidental spaces’ - for developing a sense of identity and belonging in everyday spatial practices. Discussion in this paper is based on a case study conducted to study people’s spatial behaviour and practices in various incidental spaces in Sheffield, UK, with focus on how it enables construction/negotiations of sense of place and identity. The paper offers valuable insights to architects and planners for creating places that facilitate meaningful place engagement in the contemporary context.

AB - The dynamic changes in contemporary urban living have led to an increasingly ambiguous and complex nature of spatial experiences in cities. This characteristic nature of urban environment seldom allows for a spontaneous and meaningful spatial engagement making it difficult for developing a sense of place and identity with the environment. In the context of this existing complexity of urban spatialities and changing notions of place/space relationship, this paper is set out to explore the potentialities of unconventional urban spaces - referred to in this paper as ‘incidental spaces’ - for developing a sense of identity and belonging in everyday spatial practices. Discussion in this paper is based on a case study conducted to study people’s spatial behaviour and practices in various incidental spaces in Sheffield, UK, with focus on how it enables construction/negotiations of sense of place and identity. The paper offers valuable insights to architects and planners for creating places that facilitate meaningful place engagement in the contemporary context.

U2 - 10.1680/jurdp.15.00028

DO - 10.1680/jurdp.15.00028

M3 - Journal article

VL - 169

SP - 165

EP - 174

JO - Proceedings of the ICE - Urban Design and Planning

JF - Proceedings of the ICE - Urban Design and Planning

SN - 1755-0793

IS - 4

ER -