CONFIGURING IDENTITIES PLACE IDENTITY AND INTERMEDIATE TOWNS
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Program
Architecture and planning beyond sustainability (MPDSD), MSc
Publicerad
2023
Författare
Gopalakrishnan, Akshaya
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
Ongoing urbanisation trends have resulted in
the expansion of cities, with people from diverse
backgrounds aiming to reap the benefits. Under
such circumstances, intermediate towns have
emerged as front runners in the search for a
common ground between rurality and urban
development.
With the potential to provide comfortable living
conditions away from the hustle of the city, these
regions, due to the proximity of their location form
an important interface between the two networks.
While there has been immense research on the
socio-spatial factors in rural and urban areas, how
people identify with intermediate towns and their
features is less explored.
The research focuses on the role of design in
shaping the identity of intermediate towns and
underlines important factors to be considered in
the process. Hosting both resident and commuter
populations, the Swedish town of Sandared was
chosen as a case study for the research.
The study was conducted by interpreting the term
“place identity” from three different perspectives
- visual, social, and spatial. A theoretical framework
based on these perspectives was then carried
forward into the case by guiding the data analysis
and design strategy for Sandared’s town center.
Data analysis showed a disconnect between the
town and the people on various fronts. From
a system perspective, the town’s current centre
provided very less opportunities for people to
interact and included several redundant and
unoccupied spaces along with being perceived as
decrepit and un-inviting.
With the aim of reconnecting the town with
its people, the design proposal, through the
introduction of inclusive social spaces, provides
increased opportunities for interaction. By finding
a balance between mobility and livability, the
spaces foster the development of place identity
by enabling engagement with social, spatial, and
visual aspects.
When evaluated, the theoretical framework was
found to align with the requirements of the case,
making it a relevant approach for investigating
socio-spatial relations in similar contexts. The
research highlights how defining strong socially
constructed place identities can result in the
sustainable development of intermediate towns
by accommodating urbanisation trends while
retaining connections to local roots.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
Intermediate towns, place identity, inclusive social spaces