Perceptions of Space

Post I wrote for the Sustainable Cities blog:

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“How do you think the perception of space here in Dar es Salaam differs from in North America?”

This question popped up during one of my attempts to understand my urban geographer roommate’s work. Leslie McLees’ PhD research focuses on investigating the meaning of space for the inhabitants of Dar es Salaam through urban agriculture activities.

While this is a hard question to answer, especially since we are only brief visitors of this city, it is an important one to ponder when considering urban planning. A city must be planned to suit the local needs and customs to function properly for those living within. Part of the problem is that a lot of the planning aesthetics, theories, and models are built on experiences of large “developed” cities such as London, New York, or Tokyo. Challenges arise when these values and principles are imported without adaption to local contexts.

Her answer?

Please go to http://blog.sustainablecities.net/2010/09/07/perceptions-of-space/ for the rest of the post.