ISSN: 2717-4417

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Urban Planning and Design, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.

2 Department of Urban Planning and Design, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran .

3 - Department of Urban Planning and Design, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.

Abstract

Highlights
- Sense walking and in-depth interviews were used to analyze the richness of smell and taste senses in urban space.
- The experience of the senses of smell and taste and the dimension of time and place mutually affect each other.
- The richness of the senses of smell and taste affects the enhancement of the memorability and identity of the urban space.
Introduction
Everyday urban experience is achieved through the process of perception and sense experience through sensory organs. Living in a multi-sensory environment is inevitable, and the experience of encountering sights, smells, and sounds makes it possible to know the environment. It seems that in different urban spaces of Iran, taking into account the native conditions of the environment and current traditions among the people, the role of sensory landscapes and its effect on the quality of the urban space requires more investigations. The main problem of the current research is the need to pay more attention to the issue of "sensory richness" and analyze its indicators and examples as one of the important qualities of the urban space, with an emphasis on the two senses of smell and taste. Based on this, the present article aims to explain the process of recognizing and analyzing an urban space with an emphasis on improving the quality of sensory richness in the two areas of smell and taste senses.
Theoretical Framework
Regarding the sense of smell, the variety of smells, the presence of sources of smells in the environment, smells dependent and related to time, consistent smells, smells of passers-by, and smelling comfort are among the indicators that, according to sources, affect the richness of the space. There are also researches about the effect of the sense of smell in the urban space, in the context of racial, ethnic, native, historical and cultural contexts, and it shows the effect of different cultural contexts on the transmission of social meanings and values and the display of historical heritage through the sense of smell in an urban space.
Regarding the sense of taste, while emphasizing the dependence and direct connection of this sense with the sense of smell, the presence of fruitful plants, local memories related to the experience of taste in space, and the presence of land uses that stimulate taste have an effect on the richness of the sense of taste.
Methodology
In order to conduct this research, the "qualitative" strategy has been used to collect and analyze data. In the first step, the review of library resources was carried out with the aim of compiling the theoretical framework of the research and extracting effective indicators in the thematic area of sensory richness. After that, the indicators obtained from this part were analytically recognized and field studied in two steps in the studied sample; In the first step, the sensory perception of the environment was carried out by "sensory walking" with the help of field survey by one of the researchers as an urban studies expert. After that, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 space users. These numbers were selected as available samples and the interviews were continued until reaching a kind of "theoretical saturation" and repeated answers. The data obtained from the interviews were coded in "Atlas" software and subjected to content analysis.
Results and Discussion
The findings of the interviews revealed the deep dimensions of the smell experience along the way for users. In these interviews, special users with a keen sense of smell were mentioned many times along the way. In some of these comments, the use of smell to remember the length of the route and even addressability was clearly evident. This issue, while clarifying the process of tracking odor sources by space users, shows the effect of place and the inseparable dependence of sensory experiences with place.
In a deeper layer, the analysis of the interviews shows that remembering and recalling smell experiences, especially in urban spaces with historical qualities, is very tied to nostalgia and memory and has an effect on deepening the sense of belonging to a place. This issue is very important from the analytical point of view of urban space. Context—which can be a set of antecedent conditions or facts about a place or a particular event in it—plays a decisive role in the quality of the smellscapes in a place.
The findings show that in the sensory experience of Hafez Street, in particular, the presence of "orange trees" as an example of the "fruitful plants" index, in addition to the possibility of simultaneously deepening the senses of smell and taste, to the perception of the "sense of time" as well as the "memorability of space" and Also, "identifying the sensory experience of the path" has also been effective. In the experience of the sense of taste along this path, as expected, the findings indicate the effect of the use of taste stimuli on the deepening of the sensory experience of space and its perception.
Conclusion
Among the indicators of the quality of the senses of smell and taste, "smell comfort", "presence of fruitful plants" and "memorable uses with taste stimulation", have a greater role in the experience process of citizens' environmental perception. Also, in the analysis of the findings from the qualitative survey, it is possible to emphasize the two-way relationship between the deepening of the "sense of smell" and the memorability and identity of the place, as well as the reciprocal relationship of "perception of time" with the depth of the smell sensory experience.
It seems that, especially in urban spaces with historical value, paying attention to the identity aspects of odors from natural resources or users with an identity smell or taste experience, both in the layer of future research and in the layer of executive plans, can have a multifaceted effect on improving the quality of the space and help deepen the sense of belonging to the place among the users.
 

Keywords

Main Subjects

Ayabe-Kanamura, S., et al. (1998). Differences in perception of everyday odors: a Japanese-German cross-cultural study. Chemical senses 23(1): 31-38. https://doi.org/10.1093/chemse/23.1.31
Ba, M. and J. Kang (2019). "A laboratory study of the sound-odour interaction in urban environments." Building and Environment 147: 314-326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2018.10.019
Bakhtiyari Nasrabadi, A. and G. Gholami Gohare (2018). Measuring the quality of sensory richness in the promotion of urban space Case Study: Sichaan neighborhood, Isfahan. Haft Hesar Journal of Environmental Studies 6(22): 97-110.  [in Persian]
Bentley, I. (2003). Responsive environments: a‌ manual for designers. )Translated by M. Behzadfar(. Tehran: Elm Sanaat Iran University. Publication Center. [in Persian]
Bruce, N., et al. (2015). "Analysing olfactory and auditory sensescapes in English cities: Sensory expectation and urban environmental perception." Ambiances. Sensitive environment, architecture and urban space 1(1): 1–15. http://dx.doi.org/10.4000/ambiances.560
Buckle, J. (2014). Clinical aromatherapy-e-book: essential oils in practice. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Cain, W. S., et al. (1998). "Odor Identification: Perceptual and Semantic Dimensions." Chemical Senses 23(3): 309-326. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1093/chemse/23.3.309
Canniford, R., K. Riach and T. Hill (2018). "Nosenography: How smell constitutes meaning, identity and temporal experience in spatial assemblages." Marketing Theory 18(2): 234-248. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1470593117732462
Changizi, N. A., R. (2013). "Investigating the identity indicators of the urban space in the historical context (Case Study:: kerman bazar)." motaleat shahr-e irani eslami 11(3): 53-64. [in Persian]
Degen, M. M. (2008). Sensing cities: Regenerating public life in Barcelona and Manchester. Routledge.
Degen, M. M. and G. Rose (2012). "The sensory experiencing of urban design: The role of walking and perceptual memory." Urban studies 49(15): 3271-3287. https://doi.org/10.1177/0042098012440463
Diaconu, M. (2006). "Reflections on an aesthetics of touch, smell and taste." Contemporary Aesthetics (Journal Archive) 4(1): 8. http://hdl.handle.net/2027/spo.7523862.0004.008
El-Sayyad, N. (2019). Role of sensory maps in cultural planning to shape the future of deteriorated heritage sites. 8th International Conference “ARCHCAIRO8:” Building the Future “Now”–Rights to Better Living, Architecture and Contexts: 8-10. https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/59005500/
Engen, T. and B. M. Ross (1973). "Long-term memory of odors with and without verbal descriptions." Journal of experimental psychology 100(2): 221. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0035492
Erwine, B. (2014). Multidimensional Space: The Intersection of Architecture and Engineering in the Realm of the Senses. ARCC Conference Repository. https://doi.org/10.17831/rep:arcc%25y281
Henshaw, V. (2013). Urban smellscapes: Understanding and designing city smell environments, Routledge.
Henshaw, V., et al. (2016). "Marketing the ‘city of smells’." Marketing Theory 16(2): 153-170. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1470593115619970
Herz, H., B. Hölldobler and F. Roces (2008). "Delayed rejection in a leaf-cutting ant after foraging on plants unsuitable for the symbiotic fungus." Behavioral Ecology 19(3): 575-582. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/beheco/arn016
Herz, R. S. (1998). "Are odors the best cues to memory? A cross‐modal comparison of associative memory stimuli a." Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 855(1): 670-674. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.1998.tb10643.x.
Herz, R. S. and T. Engen (1996). "Odor memory: Review and analysis." Psychonomic Bulletin & Review 3(3): 300-313. http://dx.doi.org/10.3758/BF03210754
Kubartz, B. (2014). Urban smellscapes: understanding and designing city smell environments, Taylor & Francis. 2: 99-101. https://doi.org/1080/2325548X.2014.919152
lotfi, A., Zamani, B. (2015). "The effect of Sensescape criteria in quality of Equipped Community Spine (Case study: Isfahan, Aligholiagha spine)." Motaleate Shahri 4(13): 43-56. https://sid.ir/paper/508420/fa. [in Persian]
Low, K. E. (2008). "Scent and scent-sibilities." Smell and Everyday Life Experiences. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Low, K. E. (2015). "The sensuous city: Sensory methodologies in urban ethnographic research." Ethnography 16(3): 295-312. https://doi.org/10.1177/1466138114552938
Lucas, R. and O. Romice (2010). "Assessing the Multi-Sensory Qualities of Urban Space: A methodological approach and notational system for recording and designing the multi-sensory experience of urban space." Psyecology 1(2): 263-276. https://doi.org/10.1174/217119710791175678
Merleau-Ponty, M. (2013). Phenomenology of perception, Routledge.
nili, R., R. nili and H. Soltanzadeh (2013). "Studying the Application of Healing Landscapes in Persian Gardens." The Monthly Scientific Journal of Bagh-e Nazar 9(23): 65-74. https://sid.ir/paper/125386/fa [in Persian]
Pallasmaa, J. (2012). The Eyes of the Skin: Architecture and the Senses, Wiley.
Quercia, D., Schifanella, R., Aiello, L. M., & McLean, K. (2015). Smelly maps: the digital life of urban smellscapes. In Proceedings of the International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media(Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 327-336). https://doi.org/10.1609/icwsm.v9i1.14621
Reinarz, J. (2014). Past scents: historical perspectives on smell, University of Illinois Press.
Rodaway, P. (2002). Sensuous geographies: body, sense and place, Routledge.
Salehiniya, M. and M. N. Shishavan (2018). "Explaining the role of sensoryscape components based on senses In quality of environmental sensory perception of New Arg of Tabriz." Journal of Studies On Iranian - Islamic City 8(31): 19-32 https://sid.ir/paper/523023/fa. [in Persian]
Schiffman, H. R. (1990). Sensation and perception: An integrated approach, John Wiley & Sons.
Sedaghat, Z. (2017). "Assessing Sensory Richness in Urban Spaces: An Analytical Framework." Soffeh 27(1): 73-88. https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.1683870.1396.27.1.5.5. [in Persian]
Shahcheraghi, A. (2009). "Analysing the Perception Process of Persian Garden's Environment, According to the Echologic Psychological Theory." Hoviatshahr 3(5): 71-84 https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.17359562.1388.3.5.7.1. [in Persian]
Shahcheraghi, A. and A. Bandarabad (2015). Environed in Environment (Application of environmental psychology in architecture and urban planning), Jahad daneshgahi Publication. [in Persian]
Spangenberg, E. R., B. Grohmann and D. E. Sprott (2005). "It's beginning to smell (and sound) a lot like Christmas: the interactive effects of ambient scent and music in a retail setting." Journal of business research 58(11): 1583-1589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2004.09.005
Thibaud, J.-P. (2011). "The Sensory Fabric of Urban Ambiances." The Senses and Society 6(2): 203-215. https://doi.org/10.2752/174589311X12961584845846
Tibbalds, F. (2005). Making People-Friendly Towns: Improving the Public Environment in Towns and Cities. (Translated by Ahmadinejad, M). Esfehan, khak. [in Persian]
Truax, B., & Westerkamp, H., & Woog, A., & Kallmann, H. (2014). World Soundscape Project. The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/world-soundscape-project.
Tuan, Y.-F. (1977). Experience and appreciation. In: Children, Nature, and the Urban Environment: Proceedings of a Symposium-Fair; Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-30. Upper Darby, PA: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 30: 26-32. https://www.nrs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/gtr/gtr_ne30/gtr_ne30_001.pdf
Vasilikou, C. (2016). Sensory Navigation in the City Centre. Perceptual paths, sense walks and interactive atmospheres. International Network Ambiances. Proceedings of 3rd International Congress on Ambiances. Volos, Greece. 1: 559 – 564 . https://hal.science/hal-01414151
Veskah, A. (2016). "Johan Pallasmaa reading phenomenological analysis of the differences in the perceptions of architecture and urban and rural area." Urban Management 15(44): 439-458. https://doi.org/10.22059/jes.2021.317732.1008121. [in Persian]
Waskul, D. D. and P. Vannini (2008). "Smell, Odor, and Somatic Work: Sense-Making and Sensory Management." Social Psychology Quarterly 71(1): 53-71. https://doi.org/10.1177/019027250807100107
Westerkamp, H., A. Woog and H. Kallmann (2014). "World Soundscape Project." Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/world-soundscape-project-emc.
Xiao, J., M. Tait and J. Kang (2020). "Understanding smellscapes: Sense-making of smell-triggered emotions in place." Emotion, Space and Society 37: 2-15 100710. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emospa.2020.100710
Zanganeh, N. and H. Keshmiri (2019). "The Role of Sensory Richness in Improving the Environmental Quality of Urban Spaces (Case Study: Zandiyah Shiraz Complex)." Geography and Urban Space Development 5(2): 181-200 https://doi.org/10.22067/gusd.v5i2.66413. [in Persian]
Zardini, M. and W. Schivelbusch (2005). Sense of the city: an alternate approach to urbanism. Lars Müller Publishers.
Zojaji, N., A. Nikbakht and M. Kafi (2016). "Design Principles of Clinical Sites with Emphasis on Components of Healing gardens, Horticultural Therapy Spaces and The Persian Garden." Environmental Science and Technology 18(4): 303-317 https://jest.srbiau.ac.ir/article_10370_908c24da0e31dcb56e43e7ab8a7c3848. [in Persian]
Zukin, S. (1995). 1995: The cultures of cities. Oxford: Blackwell.