A Negotiation of Identities: multi-cultural public spaces to foster the search of self-identity

The nature of identity is constantly changing - defined and refined through culture, values, and context. Particularly through migration, the sense of identity is challenged by unfamiliar environments. In the age of globalisation, the sociocultural landscape is shifting with migrants to arriving in Aotearoa from different countries, bringing with them culture, memories, and knowledge unique to Aotearoa.

Migrating is an uncomfortable and often alienating experience. Recent studies discuss the appropriate urban design to accommodate such differences. Understanding the connections and distinctions of personal identity, and negotiating with the urban realm to accommodate for growing diversities within our cities is a challenge that requires empathy. Empathy which celebrates the diverse cultures that emerge.

Place attachment theory connects identity and public space design to produce spaces of connection and belonging with its inhabitants. In developing a sense of identity in the public realm, architecture can evoke and nurture interactions with and within the built environment. The social context constructed in urban settings is integral to its formation. Strategies conducive to the social productions of space and in evoking agency in the formation of identity relate closely to participatory principles of interaction and exploration.

The role of architecture in the formation of identity is an ongoing field of research. However, it is only lightly explored within the context of migration. Architecture is integral in evoking agency and encouraging autonomy and interaction in the environment. This research investigates how the built environment can be designed to foster a sense of community, easing the social integration of migrants. In doing so, the people take ownership of their personal journey in moving to and settling in Aotearoa.

This research employs qualitative analysis and data collection alongside theoretical research to investigate perceptions of the migrant experience. Connection, autonomy, and the social contexts within spaces are driving principles in mind through the research. The implications are tested in a design exploration within a public context. The exploration of design ideas are driven in response to the characteristics of its place and surrounding physical and social contexts. In addressing the shortcomings of a derelict suburban centre, its redesign aims to introduce principles to form personal and place identity, specifically within a diverse cultural and ethnic community to foster inter-cultural interactions in everyday life.