MENTAL MAPS AND LANGUAGE MAPS: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH

FODDE, LUISANNA;MEMOLI, MAURIZIO

2007-01-01

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Abstract

The representation of today’s complex spatial reality is commonly resolved in the construction of systems of texts and discourse. Such systems commonly translate not only our imaginary sense of reality but also interpret the three-dimensionality of space in topographical maps where number, drawings and functions substitute life, sounds, voices, smells and landscapes. The attempt to interpret and describe these so-called secondary elements is commonly resolved in the research of the essential traits of the urban space, in the recognition of unique and rare instants or, in other words, in their representation as signifying practices and images where cultural and spatial meanings are constructed and transmitted (Hall 2002: 1-6). According to this approach, meaning is very relevant in the definition of urban space and urban culture. Members of a society or of a group interpret their surrounding reality and give it meaning. They give meaning to people, objects, events and spaces which are relevant to them. In this perspective, the city is characterized by a composite whole made up of both substantial elements and more imaginary ones. These elements represent the many geo-graphies where personal, living, imaginary, hoped and wanted spaces occur at various social levels. The aim of the present paper is to present a dual analysis of the representation of urban spaces using both language and mental maps as the cognitive tools of our academic approach.