Cultural Imageability on Urban Identity: A Systematic Literature Review

Cultural Imageability on Urban Identity: A Systematic Literature Review

Abdullah Hasif Ahmad Patria, Mohd. Ramzi Mohd. Hussain, Izawati Tukiman

Department of Landscape Architecture, Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design (KAED), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), 53100, Jln Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2024.816SCO004

Received: 03 November 2024; Accepted: 09 November 2024; Published: 22 November 2024

ABSTRACT

Purpose – The relationship between cultural imageability and urban identity is examined in this systematic literature review based on several themes, highlighting the influence of cultural factors on how urban places are perceived and represented. This systematic literature review aims to provide insights for researchers in the fields of urban studies and landscape architecture, as well as architecture, in understanding the various ways that cultural imageability influences the development of urban identity.

Methodology – In order to thoroughly synthesize research, the author used a systematic literature review (SLR) technique. A total of 27 articles were found in the first step, and a final sample of 10 research studies was synthesized.

Findings – The findings showcased the impact of culturally integrated elements and spaces on how urban areas are seen and portrayed, emphasizing the city’s ability to elicit feelings and connections that are ingrained with its residents’ cultural identities.

Limitations – The author encounters obstacles regarding the current protocols for conducting SLR that provide little direction in the context of the built environment. The optimal decisions regarding which steps to take in the SLR process often remain unclear, which may have an impact on the comprehensiveness of this systematic literature review.

Originality – This SLR addresses a subject that is becoming an important topic in urban studies and environmental psychology by concentrating on the relationship between cultural imageability and urban identity using SLR as the methodology.

Keywords: Cultural Imageability, Urban Identity, Imageability, Cultural Identity

INTRODUCTION

As defined by Relph “identity of place is as much a function of intersubjective intentions and experiences as of the appearances of buildings and scenery, and it refers not only to the distinctiveness of individual places but also to the sameness between different places”[1]. The term “imageability, first used by urban designer Kevin Lynch (1960) in his groundbreaking work “The Image of the City” describes a physical object’s high likelihood of generating a vivid mental image in the mind of an observer. The visual quality of urban environments is contingent upon a city’s imageability and the physical context’s intelligibility [2]. Imageability is thought to have the most important role [3]. The combination of imageability with culture can lead to a city’s physical surroundings arousing feelings that are deeply ingrained in the culture of its people. Understanding this research issue could help develop effective methods and tactics for maintaining cultural heritage, establishing a strong feeling of community, and preserving real, dynamic, cultured urban environments. Hence, this research was conducted through a systematic literature review (SLR) that aims to better understand the relationship between the distinctive identity of urban landscapes and the cultural imageability that contributes to their identity. Therefore, this SLR focuses on the question of ‘What is the role of cultural imageability towards the urban fabric identity?’

RESEARCH BACKGROUND

Cultural imageability in this study refers to a city’s ability to conjure up strong mental images in the minds of its citizens, visitors, and observers through its cultural features, symbols, and stories. It delves into the ways in which the cultural elements present in an urban setting that influence people’s ability to construct unique and unforgettable mental imagery, hence influencing their perspective, sense of identity, sense of attachment, sense of proud, sense of security and overall collective perception of the cultured urban areas. The physical components of a city, such as its architecture and landmarks, are essential in determining its identity and functionality. They add to a location’s distinct personality and affect how its occupants use and interact with its areas. While the physical environment is the city’s body, the local community’s culture serves as its spirit or its sense of identity [4]. The connection between culture, perception, and place is explored in an interesting field of research in the role of cultural imageability towards urban landscape identity.

The role of cultural imageability in the establishment and preservation of urban identity is not sufficiently studied or comprehended despite its significance in lending cities a distinct cultural personality. Due to this knowledge gap, landscape architecture and urban planning may lack the cultural depth and resonance that can give cities their distinct identities, strengthen residents’ sense of community, and present an inviting appearance to visitors. Cultural characteristics are just as significant as they include elements such as local culture and the habits of the residents. “A place’s identity is based on the relationship between who we are, where we are, and how our local environment is” [4]. Thus, for the purpose of creating visually aesthetic and culturally relevant spaces, an awareness of this subject is essential in landscape architecture, urban planning, and architecture.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

A scientific method called systematic literature review (SLR) is used to find relevant material for a given research subject while minimizing bias [5]. Through a precisely defined and accountable procedure, an SLR facilitates the collection of evidence supporting particular questions, the summarization of current knowledge, and the provision of a logical synthesis of the findings. This SLR followed five primary steps adapted from Kitchenham (2004), Denyer and Tranfield (2009): (1) Formulate research question, (2) Locate the literature, (3) Select and evaluate the literature, (4) Analyse and synthesize the studies, and (5) Report the review results. Finding a precise search term that was essential to the research aim stated in the introduction was the next stage. A search string was formulated from the research question using the SPIDER protocol, as seen in Figure 1.

Fig 1. Formulation of search string

Only one database was selected for the SLR, ensuring only peer-reviewed content, which is Emerald Insight, after the search string was developed and tested in a few reputable databases. The total number of articles that appeared from the search string was 285, but the number of related articles was 27. After careful screening based on titles, abstracts, keywords, and the set of inclusion and exclusion criteria, only 10 articles were chosen for review. All the related articles were open access, written in English, does not occur multiple times and were published in the year between 2020 until 2023.

KEY FINDINGS

All the articles reviewed were written in the last 4 years to get the most recent developments and findings on the topic of urban culture and imageability. Table 1 shows the analysed contents from the 27 potential articles gathered in combination with its relevance and quality. The high in relevancy of the articles will be chosen for this SLR resulting in only 10 articles were selected. Several key themes on cultural imageability and urban identity were identified in the conversation as stated in Table 2. These were done to address the research objective, key concept, and opinion on the 10 reviewed pieces of literature.

Table 1 Analysis of the 27 potential articles and its relevance to research topic

Table 2. Identified key themes.

Place Identity

Residential architectural form has a role in the construction of human identity, and these components of identity are connected to a place and can be referred to as “place identity” [6]. The concept of place identity is the notion that encompasses how someone perceives and comprehends their surroundings other than it being a connection [7]. Therefore, identifying a person, a group, and a location may all be part of place identity [8] as they reflect their surroundings. Other than that, place identity is a crucial component of place attachment, as demonstrated by the numerous successful brand-driven city development projects that now exist [9], leading to its inhabitants developing a sense of proud. Through the standard cultural component, it is simple to see how cultural identity influences the development of place identity [6]. Consequently, place identity is an important aspect that can be achieved in many ways but easily through cultural elements.

Perception

Cultural and visual perceptions shape cities as symbolic spaces [10]. Elements in the city can enhance the perception of the inhabitants; this will increase the city’s aesthetic level [11], resulting in its own distinctive identity. Other than that, through façade, architectural symbols primarily shape the public’s perception of the built environment of a city [12]. Thus, a façade that integrates with a cultural symbol will enhance the urban identity. A city’s identity can vary due to a variety of causes, including shifts in the locations and design features as well as the perception and behaviours of its residents [10]. Therefore, Maintaining urban imageability is important since perception and memories can be lost due to the dynamic characteristics of an urban area [10], leading to a loss of cultural significance and city identity.

Cultural values

Cultural, environmental, urban, and architectural elements all influence how a city is perceived [10]. Place identities transform into cultural and architectural identities that embody historical values in collective memory [6], concluding its symbiotic relationship of mutualism between one another. Individuals’ place identities impact their psychological, cultural, and social well-being; therefore, fulfilling these requirements requires reflecting authentic cultural identities [6]. This will result in individuals that they will feel at ease in locations that correspond with their place identities. To conclude, in time, the integration of culture with urban design will lead the city to form its own identities, thus increasing its imageability.

RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION

Cultural elements have a big influence on how urban environments are scripted. The main output of this study reveals that cultural imageability is one of the key aspects for an urban area to gain its original identity. The integration of tangible and intangible culture enhances urban areas’ imageability. The city evokes strong mental images in the minds of both locals and visitors due to its historical architecture, iconic local sites, public areas that are culturally integrated. Consequently, the imageability of the cultured urban area will shapes people’s perceptions and sense of attachment resulting to a distinctive memorable environment for the residents. This will lead the residents to have more interaction with their city and participate actively in its development and preservation since the strong sense of place imbeds a strong sense of attachment. Thus, prior to making judgments concerning a place’s future, it is essential to comprehend its distinctiveness and cultural value [13]. Urban areas can function as canvases for cultural expression, creating a distinctive identity for itself in the process. In summary, urban planning, landscape architecture, and architecture are significantly impacted by the subject of cultural imageability on urban identity. This SLR study is a step toward creating cities that are not only useful and supportive of creating an identity but also amplifying the cultural diversity of the residents and narrates their shared experiences.

REFERENCES

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