Exposing rhythms of cult(ural) manifestations through spatiality : understanding belonging

Abstract

The dissertation research seeks to expose rhythms structuring the being’s spatiality and the cultural manifestations veiled within local urban spaces. These cultural and contextual rhythms and their characteristics are explored in order to apprehend their influence on the being’s sense of belonging and identity with place. The beings’ spatiality is explored through its multidimensional properties. Through the interaction of its spatial, social and temporal dimensions, everydayness, more-so being-there, is understood as the intersection of the being (self) and the other (context). As the dynamic interaction of actors in space is structured by rhythmic patterns in specific instances of time and space, the notion of cult(ural) rhythms embedded in the being’s spatiality is established. These rhythmic moments shaping the lived experience of our urban spaces are interpreted as significant instances of place, also experienced by those who are not necessarily familiar with the spaces themselves. Based on reviewed literature, the dissertation exploits the participants’ spatiality as they walk through urban spaces of Ħamrun. By also interviewing locals and a professional in the field of research, a thorough employment of the exposed cult(ural) and contextual rhythms structuring the locals’ and participants’ spatiality is attained. Through an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, three emergent characteristics of rhythms influencing the being’s spatiality and sense of belonging become apparent. Specific modes of peak-intensities (1) and reoccurrence (2) of a cult(ural) rhythm trigger a deeper sense of belonging. More so, beyond physical demarcating boundaries within the urban space, the participants’ sense of belonging is determined by harmonically coexisting (3) cult(ural) rhythms. Consequently, the sense of belonging is apprehended as a process, composed of three identified phases culminating in the synchronisation of the context and the being through rhythms. Their ultimate synchronisation is reflected in the third phase, where as one occupies space, he consciously surrenders himself to the rhythm such that the being identifies with place, reaching the deepest sense of belonging. Conclusively, the dissertation explores how such emergent themes can become a framework for interpreting local urban spaces which are driven by underlying multicultural dynamics and contextual complexities, as a coevolving ecosystem. Thereby it inspires a bottom-up architectural approach which seeks to nurture the exposed contextual and cult(ural) rhythms in the process of enhancing-places, or making-places, where individuals can belong.