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SENSORY INFLUENCE OF WATER FEATURES WITHIN URBAN SPACE

E. Kusinska

Abstract

Water, as one of the fundamental elements of nature, has been used to decorate the spaces of cities since ancient times. Water features refer to associations with nature, thanks to which they elicit positive experiences among the users of urban space, as well as a feeling of relaxation and a pleasant sensation of being in contact with nature. The article presents the process of the influence of water features within urban space on the human senses and on the possibilities of producing specific sensory and emotional sensations in people through the appropriate shaping of water layouts within the public spaces of the city. The various physical properties of water, combined with modern technologies, can create "sensory spaces" that are both beautiful and friendly to the residents of cities. Water can stimulate all human senses and, depending on the type and form of a water layout, it can be a stimulation of either individual senses or a multisensory one. Sensory stimulation with the use of water can take place in two directions: exciting and calming, depending on the need to elicit specific emotions in people within an urban space. Thanks to the sensory use of water features within public spaces, the shaping of the emotional dependency between man and the urban space becomes possible. An exciting water-based sensory stimulation will produce a feeling of joy, excitement, energy, refreshment, etc and can be adapted to an urban function, e.g. a meeting space on a square. A calming water-based sensory stimulation, on the other hand, will produce a feeling of calm, harmony, relaxation, etc. and can be used in places meant for such purposes, e.g. in parks, contemplation spaces, etc.

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DOI resolver: doi.org/10.5593/sgemsocial2018/5.3/S21.065

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