By comparing urban places we intend to empirically uncover the way affection for specific places is emerging and is created. This allows the fine-tuning of the conceptualisation of these “feelings” and “affections” suggested by the neo-phenomenological perspective and the exploration of possibilities to design places in such a way that they are effectively experienced as more pleasant, just, and effective. This topic is closely related to the work of architects, urban designers, urban planners, social psychologists, sociologists, philosophers and (art) curators of events and places.
This research topic is currently intensively debated in these disciplines and is closely linked to the increased attention given to the forgotten dimension of ‘emotions’ in our current society. Emotions and “experiences” are no longer seen as a rather irrelevant irrational ‘rest’ factor, but increasingly as the basis and driving force behind our (spatial) choices, behaviour and performance. Inspired by several relational approaches, instead of reducing this topic to only the affective dimension, through this research, we try to grasp the full relational complexity of the way we experience, create, and perform or practice (urban) places.