Reimagining the Role of Spatial Memorability in Shaping Users' Sense of Place in Urban Public Spaces

Urban public spaces are more than mere physical settings; they are complex social and emotional environments that shape users’ psychological well-being, foster social interactions, and embed individual and collective memories. However, contemporary urban design often prioritizes functional and aesthetic aspects, overlooking the emotional and mnemonic dimensions that contribute to a deeper sense of place. This study investigates how spatial memorability defined as a space’s capacity to evoke, sustain, and regenerate memories shapes users’ sense of place in urban public settings. Employing a qualitative methodology, the research integrates thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews, field observations, and document analysis conducted in three Iranian cities: Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz. Findings reveal that spatial memorability is not a static attribute but an emergent quality shaped by the dynamic interaction between physical design elements (e.g., human-scale proportions, sensory stimuli, and historical layers) and users’ personal and social experiences. Spaces that offer sensory richness, narrative depth, social interaction opportunities, and exploratory freedom significantly enhance place attachment and emotional engagement. This study advocates for a paradigm shift in public space design: from function-driven approaches toward memory-sensitive and human-centered strategies. By fostering environments that resonate emotionally and support memory-making, urban design can promote psychological well-being, social cohesion, and resilience in cities.

کلیدواژه ها:

Spatial memorability ، Sense of place ، Urban public spaces ، Emotional design ، Environmental psychology ، Collective memory