Alternative Perception-driven and Multi-Sensorial Approaches to Urbanism, Age-Friendly and Health-Supportive Design

Dear Colleagues,

The turn of the twenty-first century brought about renewed interest in sensory studies, stemming predominantly from the social sciences, cultural studies, anthropology, and human geography, as well as environmental psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, and post-phenomenology. Anthropologist David Howes described this phenomenon as a “sensorial revolution” [1], while Mirko Zardini called for “sensorial urbanism” [2]. Some of the main foci of these studies include inquiries into the history and cultural aspects of senses and sensory experience, sensory perception and engagement in everyday life, concepts of atmosphere and ambience, and the role of technology in mediating sensory experiences, among others. Perception and sensory experience have historically been considered in the discourses of architecture and urbanism (e.g., [3,4]). Some more recent studies have explored alternative approaches of documenting, measuring, assessing, analyzing, and visualizing subjective multi-sensory experiences, while aiming to understand their role in architecture, placemaking, and urban design [5,6,7]. However, empirical studies about the role of lived experience in evidence-based health-supportive and aging-friendly design are scarce.

In the context of an increased aging population globally, perceptual aspects of urban experience become even more important, as varied degrees of associated declines in physical, sensorial, and cognitive capacity are common in older adults, accelerating with aging. Such declines substantially challenge numerous aspects of everyday functioning of older adults (from mobility and spatial orientation issues to depression, lower confidence level, and decreased social interaction) and affect their overall sense of well-being and quality of life. Yet, these issues remain under-recognized and under-studied.

Finally, recent advancements of novel smart technologies offer new ways of studying human perception, while also challenging conventional approaches to age-friendly and healthful design as well as the conventional paradigms of health and care delivery. It is, thus, of critical importance to uncover the full capacities of a range of contemporary built environments to take an active role in health provision and ability building and thus better support successful aging in place and active aging. The design of health-supportive and aging-friendly environments needs to surpass the provision of healthcare and eldercare facilities and basic concerns for hygiene, safety, and universal design, while embracing novel technologies and translating the emerging empirical knowledge from various disciplines into healthful outcomes.

Accordingly, this Special Issue of Sustainability seeks high-quality, academic, interdisciplinary contributions (from sensory studies, architecture, urban design, urban planning, public health, social sciences, anthropology, ethnography, environmental psychology, behavioral sciences, cognitive sciences, post-phenomenology, etc.) that address alternative and innovative (perception-driven and multi-sensory) theoretical and methodological approaches to urbanism and placemaking and age-friendly and health-supportive design for all ages. Exploratory, perspective, and vision papers are also welcome. Articles may include (but are not limited to) the following topics:

• Novel approaches to health-supportive and/or age-friendly design;
• Salutogenic approaches to health and well-being;
• Design for sensory and/or cognitive impairments (e.g., mobility, dementia-friendly environment, etc.);
• Design for physical, mental, and social well-being;
• Health and workplace design;
• Health, arts, and creative placemaking;
• Responsive and “sensponive” design;
• Smart technologies and health;
• Urban atmospheres and ambiences;
• Cultural aspects of sensory experience and design.

References

1. Howes, D. (2006). Charting the Sensorial Revolution. The Senses and Society, 1(1): 113–128.
2. Zardini, M. (2005). Toward a Sensorial Urbanism. In M. Zardini (Ed.), Sense of the City: An Alternate Approach to Urbanism (pp. 17-27). Montreal: Canadian Centre for Architecture; Lars Müller Pub.
3. Pallasmaa, J. (1996). The Eyes of the Skin: Architecture and the Senses. London: Academy Editions.
4. Malnar, J. M., & F. Vodvarka (2004). Sensory Design. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
5. Degen M. M., & Rose, G. (2012). The Sensory Experience of Urban Design: The Role of Walking and Perceptual Memory. Urban Studies, 49(15): 3271–3287.
6. Lucas, R., & O. Romice (2010). Assessing the Multi-Sensory Qualities of Urban Space: A Methodological Approach and Notational System for Recording and Designing the Multisensory Experience of Urban Space. Psyecology, 1 (2): 263–276.
7. Palipane, K. (2017). Interrogating Place: A Socio-Sensory Approach. Cities People Places: An International Journal on Urban Environments, 2 (1): 55–69.

Dr. Zdravko Trivic
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• Health-supportive environment
• Age-friendly environment
• Multi-sensory design
• Sensory and cognitive impairments
• Design for physical, mental, and social well-being
• Alternative approaches and methods
• Smart technologies, health, and aging
• Arts, placemaking, and health
• Urbanism
• Urban design
• Aging population