Psychogeography

23 Aug 2019

Our Friday afternoon reading session with Matt and Benji was based on an extract from Psychogeography Today by Merlin Coverly.

As introduced to us previously, the term encompasses a broad area of intersection between Psychology and Geography, with its perceptions and usage continually evolving with the changing time. Following are some key phrases highlighting the ‘definition’ of psycho geography:

• ‘Our relationship to the urban environment’

• Mental maps and placemaking

• ‘Perception of the city’

• ‘..the point where psychology and geography intersect..’

As we tried to establish a meaning for the term psychogeography, Jessica questioned the repeated reference of its ‘urban’ context, since the term could be valid in any kind of geographical area. It made me wonder whether such visual analysis of ‘place’ was limited to designed spaces or potential areas waiting to be ‘taken over’ by design; as opposed to natural spaces that provide as much, or more sensory and intellectual stimulation. Did it evolve as a sub-conscious urban planning tool?

The reading highlighted how the act of walking has been an effective tool for psychogeographical documentation and analysis throughout its different contexts and forms. Walking provides the right amount of sensory stimulation to provoke a thought process based on observation of, and curiosity towards one’s surroundings. However, in the context of the modern city, walking almost represents a sense of rebellion against the city’s ‘rules’ favouring automobiles and fast moving traffic.

Coming from Le Corbusier’s Chandigarh, I could relate to Ciao’s revelation of walking being ‘new’ to him in London, considering his reliance on his car while living in Brasillia, despite its ‘pedestrian-friendly’ planning. There seems to be something about the organic nature of development of London over the years, that makes its streets, parks and squares more relatable to citizens than the ones planned on ‘blank slate’ cities like Chandigarh and Brasillia. Or maybe these cities aren’t old enough for their streets to have been personalised and customised by their residents over time..

The customisation and evolution of the Shoreditch area of London, has led to mixed reactions from its stakeholders. While the street and grafitti artists treat it like a canvas for self expression, some residents express concerns of a lack of regulation. During our group tutorial yesterday, Scott mentioned how he felt nostalgic about his Shoreditch, and how he was sad to see how the area had changed ever since he moved out.

The example and reading reminded me of Kevin Lynch’s Image of the City that caught my fascination while I was enrolled in urban design classes at architecture school. Lynch introduced mental maps in Boston, asking residents of the city to document their perceptions of spaces and objects encountered during their daily commute, through sketches, on a map of Boston. The survey was an excellent exercise in analysis of public perception of spaces and the city, an important factor for the design of spaces and the city. I am interested in exploring the tools of mental mapping and mental map surveys with stakeholders in and around our site in Shoreditch, as a means of understanding their ‘real’ needs and perceptions from the area.