4. Theoretical Understanding of Space

Which is normally referred with a geographical location by the Latitude and longitude, and it also reflects through its material form and which is a physical features, whether is a hill architecture, whether it is the coastal architecture, whether it is through its natural settings and the built environments.

This chunk discusses how places are defined geographically by latitude and longitude, but it goes beyond just coordinates. It highlights that the characteristics of a place are shaped by physical features like hills, coastal areas, and architectural styles. Essentially, a place's identity is a combination of natural and built environments.

Imagine two cities: one near the coast and another in the mountains. The coastal city might be known for its beaches and seafood cuisine, while the mountain city could be famous for hiking and winter sports. Both locations are defined by their geography, influencing the culture, economy, and lifestyle of the inhabitants.

So many geographers talk about place is a social construct, Doreen Massey talks about it is a social construct, and we actively make places and our ideas of place are products of the society in which we live.

This chunk explains the concept that places are not just physical locations, but creations of society. The theories of geographers like Doreen Massey emphasize that our perceptions and meanings of places are influenced by societal values and interactions. This perspective promotes the idea that we both create and are shaped by our surroundings.

Consider different neighborhoods within a city. One area might be seen as trendy and artistic, while another is considered industrial or less desirable. These distinctions stem from how communities invest meaning and value into these places based on cultural, economic, and social factors.

A small example for the students to understand I hope many of you have seen the movie of Cast Away, where Tom Hanks... A man is attached with a lot of emotions, its values, 4 years that ball has given him a sense of being.

This chunk uses the movie 'Cast Away' to illustrate how a person's emotional attachment to a place or object (like Wilson, the volleyball) reflects the deeper connections we forge with our environment. The character's survival instinct leads him to create a sense of belonging, demonstrating how emotional relationships can exist even in isolation.

Think of a child's favorite stuffed animal or blanket. Even if it’s just a toy, the child forms a deep emotional bond with it, often finding comfort and security. This mirrors how people create emotional attachments to their environments or objects, enhancing their sense of identity and belonging.

The post-disaster context is always seen a very immediate need for both the beneficiaries and the providers... but still many houses you find they are abandoned...

This chunk addresses the challenges faced during post-disaster recovery, particularly regarding housing. After disasters, immediate shelter is essential for survivors. However, it also raises questions about why new housing is sometimes rejected, pointing to deeper community needs beyond just having a place to live.

After Hurricane Katrina, many survivors were provided with temporary housing solutions. However, some refused these options because they were not in familiar neighborhoods or lacked critical community resources. This illustrates that housing is not just physical space, but a part of a community’s social fabric and identity.

So that is where I can just briefly talk about what Lefebvre talks about... conceived space, lived space, perceived space.

This chunk introduces Henri Lefebvre’s three aspects of space: conceived space (mentally planned by architects and planners), lived space (how individuals and communities actually use and experience space), and perceived space (how space is interpreted based on social contexts). These concepts clarify the multifaceted nature of space in urban and social planning.

Visualize a park. The conceived space might be the official design created by planners. The lived space is how people interact in the park—playing, relaxing, socializing. The perceived space reflects each individual’s unique experience and memories of the park, like family picnics or community events, thus giving the park different meanings to different people.

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