Walking, Mapping and Belonging
City planning can be more inclusive and welcoming to immigrants, Farnaz Farajikalajahi shows how. In her thesis she provides methods to bridge the gap between expert-led urban planning and the lived experiences of immigrants.
“One of the main and current challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in urban contexts is designing and planning for more inclusive, diverse and immigrant friendly environments. My research reveals the value of combining immigrants’ lived experiences with participatory and spatial methods.”
“Using digital mapping and walking interviews, I investigated how Iranian immigrants in Manchester perceive their host urban environment. The study allowed them to identify, map and reflect on their everyday landscapes associated with cultural, emotional and symbolic significance. It shows how everyday spaces, like Manchester’s Exchange Square or local Iranian-owned shops, become cultural ‘touchstones’ filled with memory and emotion.”
“I captured their sensory and emotional perceptions and attempted to integrate these into the methodology of Historic Landscape Characterisation. The process combined narrative, spatial, and emotional data to create a more inclusive model for urban heritage planning.”
More information on the thesis
