Cogent Social Sciences

Place-Making and Perception: Geographic, Psychological, and Sociological Insights into Human Experience in the Built Environment

In this Article Collection of Cogent Social Sciences, we aim to explore how lay occupants—rather than architects or designers—engage with the built environment through the lens of urban and human geography. Traditionally, spatial design disciplines often investigate space from within, emphasizing design intent, historical context, policy, and technical considerations. This Collection seeks to shift that focus by examining spaces as experienced by everyday people, influenced by their social roles, cognitive dispositions, and philosophical perspectives. By understanding these perceptions, we can uncover how environments influence behavior, social interaction, decision-making, and emotional responses, offering geography-centric, place-making insights into how spaces impact human experiences.

Now more than ever, external perspectives are crucial in shaping how we design and evaluate the spaces we inhabit. The COVID-19 pandemic has redefined our interactions with both private and public places, emphasizing the need for environments that foster social connection and psychological well-being. Rising awareness of mental health issues and the impact of urban living underscores the importance of designing spaces that promote emotional resilience and reduce stress. Simultaneously, social equity movements highlight the necessity of addressing how spaces can either perpetuate or dismantle inequalities. Insights from sociology, psychology, and urban geography can reveal how different groups experience and navigate space, leading to more inclusive, equitable, and community-oriented environments.

This Article Collection invites contributions that examine space and human perception through an interdisciplinary lens, with emphasis on place-making significance. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Geographical studies on place-making, urban social dynamics, and the impact of spatial design on community well-being
• Sociological research on how spaces influence social roles, cultural identity, and patterns of social equity
• Psychological investigations into spatial cognition, sensory experiences, and emotional responses in various geographic contexts
• Philosophical discussions on the meaning of place and the phenomenology of human-environment interaction
• Case studies and empirical research exploring how lay occupants experience and engage with architectural and urban environments

We welcome submissions of original research articles and reviews. Submissions will be rigorously peer-reviewed and evaluated for their scholarly merit and their contribution to interdisciplinary and geography-focused conversations. This Collection seeks to foster a meaningful dialogue on how spaces influence the people who inhabit them, contributing to a more inclusive and geographically responsive understanding of the built environment.

Dr. Jack Tooley is an internationally recognized academic in spatial design. His interdisciplinary research examines how the built environment influences human behavior, focusing on the intersection of architecture, psychology, and sociology. Dr. Tooley's work addresses critical issues such as enhancing client-architect communication and designing inclusive, economically sustainable civic spaces. His expertise spans aesthetics, discriminatory design, and convivial design, tackling real-world challenges through innovative solutions that are directly applicable to practice.