Non-visual experience of space and the problem of sensory deprivation in contemporary urbanized environment

Julia Wronkowska

doi:10.5277/arc190212

Abstract

This article discusses the problem of contemporary culture which is the dominant role of the visual representation of reality. We evaluate architecture and urban planning superficially based on visual aspects, forgetting about the wealth of non-visual experiences. This approach to designing architecture and urban space results in a suffused sensory landscape of the city, pollution of air and the urban sonic space. This problem manifests itself particularly in the case of blind people. Based on the study of literature with the subject of architecture, psychology of perception, typhlology, as well as philosophy, an attempt was made to outline the cultural background of postmodern reality suffused with information, then to describe the role of the senses and their potential in creating space not only accessible to blind people, but also wealthier in terms of aesthetics for all its users. The analysis of the literature on the subject has been supplemented with own observations and local visions for non-visual reception. Both from the literature on the subject and from own observations, it appears that the role of the senses and emotions in architecture and urban planning is still insufficiently researched. In the author’s opinion, any research on this topic may turn out to be extremely valuable, because looking at the space through the prism of all senses would have a chance to become an important design tool to tackle the problem of contemporary oculocentric reality.