A Sense of place in the re-utilization of space : a study with special reference to the re-use of old buildings

Abstract

"Place" is a concept which receive initial attention when consider the socio spatial relationships. The vitality of this concept makes it examined by architects, planers and designers. Place is an entity which constitutes spatial, social and psychological aspects and therefore their characteristics are governed by them. The refinement of these aspects will enrich the quality of places thus achieving "Sense of place". This fact cannot be neglected as it is a concept that should be pointed out in re-utilizing spaces. Presence of these characteristics make the place significant and enhances the quality of build environment as well as of its users. Otherwise these spaces will be placeless gaps in the urban environment. For an analytical study about human spatial relationships the nature of attachments in between must be understood. When consider the urban environment especially the urban fabric is unimportant and disregard without the human attachments and behavioral patterns. It would be interesting to investigate an elementary feature that will hold the character, comfort in spaces specifically in re-use spaces in this dissertation. The absent of this concept creates not only the materialistic pollution, but also attitudinal pollution occur parallely with the rapid urbanization. Even the attachment to existing context seems to be neglected. Likewise abandoned old buildings exist unknowingly in the urban fabric as placeless gaps. Hence this study mainly focuses on immediate surrounding and the interior of the re-used spaces, its quantitative and qualitative attributes, to achieve "Sense of place".