Document Type : Original articles.
Author
Assistant Professor, Architecture Department, Nile Higher Institute for Engineering and Technology, Mansoura , Egypt
10.21608/njace.2025.356303.1017
Abstract
Urban spaces are more than physical constructs; they are lived experiences shaped by human perception, cognition, and sensory engagement. This research explores the concept of sensory urbanism, a design approach that prioritizes multi-sensory experiences to create immersive, memorable, and emotionally resonant urban environments. Drawing on theories from environmental psychology, phenomenology, and urban design, this study investigates how the integration of sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste can enhance human well-being, foster social interaction, and strengthen cultural identity in urban spaces.
The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining a systematic literature review, case study analysis, sensory mapping, and data analysis. The High Line, New York City, serves as a primary case study, demonstrating how the CDTA framework (Center, Direction, Transition, Area) can organize sensory elements into a coherent spatial structure. Findings reveal that sensory-rich urban spaces, such as the High Line, engage all five senses to create dynamic and inclusive environments that resonate emotionally and culturally with their users.
This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on sensory urbanism, offering practical guidelines for architects and urban planners to design multi-sensory urban spaces. By bridging theory and practice, this research aims to inspire a new generation of urban designers to create environments that are not only functional but also emotionally and culturally meaningful.
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