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.