Theoretical approaches to understanding place Flashcards
What is the descriptive approach?
The idea that the world is a set of places that can be studied and are distinct from each other.
What is the social constructionist approach?
The idea that a place is a product of a set of social processes occurring at a particular time.
What is a phenomenological approach?
An idea interested in how an individual person experiences a place, recognising the highly personal relationship between place and person.
What does Jon Anderson argue?
That a place can be defined and given meaning by traces that exist within them.
How can you look behind the traces people leave among a place?
To understand the meanings behind the traces and the aims of the ‘trace-makers’ who constructed them.
As a result of the statue of Admiral Lord Nelson, what is Trafalgar Square used for today?
A place used to celebrate victories and is often the focus for national celebrations such as sporting victories and London’s successful Olympics bid.
What approach describes Trafalgar Square best?
A social constructionist approach.
Why does the social constructionist approach describe Trafalgar Square best?
Because the social processes that have taken place: construction of the statue of Admiral Lord Nelson was built to commemorate a British victory in 1800 hundreds - now viewed as a place of empire and colonisation
How does Tuan use a phenomenological approach through Topophilia?
We can get to know a place through human perception and experience
Topophilia describes the affective bond between people and place
How does Relph use a phenomenological approach?
Degree of attachment, involvement and concern that a person/group has for a particular place - critical for understanding of place
