Home is Where the Hearth is: Recognizing and Building Identity in an Urban Residential Area

Abstract

This thesis report explores the relationships between the built environment, the social fabric of a neighbourhood, and a sense of belonging to a community. The fabric of a neighbourhood community is shaped by the typologies and patterns of its buildings, and becomes a part of the identity of the place. This thesis project delves into the role of architecture in expressing and strengthening that identity. The research into these topics included the investigation of two neighbourhoods, each with names synonymous with their community identities, and the mapping of city and neighbourhood hubs in the city of Halifax. These studies led to design principles that promote the existing fabric of a neighbourhood and provide a platform for social interaction among neighbours. The design principles have then been applied to an urban residential area of Halifax to develop strategies for expressing and enhancing the identity, and establishing a neighbourhood in the city.