African Research Journal of Education and Social Sciences, Vol. 9 (3), 36-57, 2022
Author: Edwin Oluoch K’oyoo
University of Pretoria
P.O. Box. 14679, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa
Author E-mail Address: edwinkoyoo@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Different types of identity exist and have been studied over time. Common types of identity within the spatial environment include place, urban and landscape identity. Common among these types of identities is the ability of a given place to be unique and distinct as to distinguish it from the other. This paper covers a desk review to collect and classify key concepts on the different types of identity, namely place-urban-landscape identity and the different research designs that have been used in understanding them. This paper postulates that a city’s uniqueness and distinctiveness lie in its landscape identity and should not be neglected. The paper explores the different types of spatial identities in terms of their key concepts and the research methods used in understanding them. The need for a unified definition for landscape identity has been put forward by several landscape studies and has been addressed by a definition formulated in this study. Urban landscape identity is adopted in this study as the overall term that includes other identities and is defined in this study as the resident’s perception of the special features that help them to differentiate between places creating images that they can recognize. This study first identifies and illustrates the different types of identities, secondly the spatial scales within which the different identities are found the lastly develops the conceptual framework for landscape identity formation that results from the three common aspects of physical, functions/activities and lastly meaning aspect that cut across for all the types of identity. The review concludes that all the types of identity have common aspects in their formation and only vary at the different scales in which they act and are considered. The paper calls for a unified definition for landscape identity as an emerging concept across spatial disciplines.
Keywords: Place identity, Urban identity, Landscape identity, Urban landscape identity, Urban landscape studies, Spatial studies, Spatial identities
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Suggested Citation
Oluoch, E. K. (2022). A Review of Place, Urban and Landscape Identity: Key Concepts and Methodologies of Study. African Research Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 9(3), 37-56. Available online at http://arjess.org/social-sciences-research/a-review-of-place-urban-and-landscape-identity-key-concepts-and-methodologies-of-study.pdf
