This project originated during my residence in the Region of Murcia, Spain, to which I relocated from Ukraine in 2014. My interest was particularly piqued by traditional Spanish architecture—a novel experience for me as an individual from the post-Soviet space. The distinctive features of this architecture, such as narrow streets, low-rise buildings, and terracotta tile roofs, prompted a keen interest in exploring less frequented and relatively unknown locales, far removed from major urban centers and contemporary modifications. After extensive research using Google Maps, I selected the town of Blanca for detailed observation.
Blanca is situated within a valley along the Segura River, surrounded by mountainous terrain. The absence of large-scale industrial activities, highways, and adjacent urban centers has allowed the town to preserve certain local characteristics that many modern settlements have lost. My observations in Blanca led me to several inquiries: How does my physical presence interact with these new environments? What aspects contribute to my enjoyment of these spaces? What elements define the unique character of these places? How is the concept of coziness manifested?
These reflections occurred prior to my exposure to Jan Gehl's seminal work, Cities for People, which introduced me to fundamental concepts regarding human spatial perception, sensory experiences, and their impact on urban interactions. Gehl's research highlighted that effective human communication begins at a proximity of approximately 7 meters, where additional senses contribute to a more complete interaction. This insight significantly informed my understanding of why traditional narrow streets facilitate more meaningful communication and why these environments feel more engaging.
Drawing from my experiences in Blanca—comprising extensive exploration, observation, photography, and sketching—I developed a framework outlining the essential attributes of a traditional, human-centric town. This framework, which I term the "10 Commandments" or "10 Imperfections" of the village, identifies features that many contemporary towns and villages have lost and that Blanca is also gradually losing. The key attributes are:
(1) Pedestrian Accessibility and Absence of Vehicular Traffic: Promotes an environment conducive to walking and human interaction.
(2) Facade Diversity and Richness: Includes a variety of architectural elements such as balconies, window shutters, and cornices, contributing to visual interest and character:
(3) Human Scale: Characterized by low-rise buildings that foster a sense of intimacy and human proportion.
(4) Street-Level Vegetation: Enhances the aesthetic and environmental quality of the urban space.
(5) Presence of Domestic Animals: Includes pets like cats, dogs, and roosters, which add to the lived experience and vitality of the environment.
(6) Handcrafted Elements: Features such as doorknobs, carved doors, and local art that reflect traditional craftsmanship and personal touch.
(7) Architectural "Imperfections": Embraces the unevenness and textural variations in buildings, narrow streets, and abandoned structures, contributing to historical authenticity.
(8) Varied Terrain: Incorporates topographical variations such as small inclines, declines, and turns, adding to the spatial dynamism.
(9) Olfactory Experiences: Includes the diverse smells emanating from restaurants, residences, and floral elements, enriching sensory engagement.
(10) Connection with Nature: Ensures integration with the surrounding natural environment, enhancing the overall sense of place.
(2) Facade Diversity and Richness: Includes a variety of architectural elements such as balconies, window shutters, and cornices, contributing to visual interest and character:
(3) Human Scale: Characterized by low-rise buildings that foster a sense of intimacy and human proportion.
(4) Street-Level Vegetation: Enhances the aesthetic and environmental quality of the urban space.
(5) Presence of Domestic Animals: Includes pets like cats, dogs, and roosters, which add to the lived experience and vitality of the environment.
(6) Handcrafted Elements: Features such as doorknobs, carved doors, and local art that reflect traditional craftsmanship and personal touch.
(7) Architectural "Imperfections": Embraces the unevenness and textural variations in buildings, narrow streets, and abandoned structures, contributing to historical authenticity.
(8) Varied Terrain: Incorporates topographical variations such as small inclines, declines, and turns, adding to the spatial dynamism.
(9) Olfactory Experiences: Includes the diverse smells emanating from restaurants, residences, and floral elements, enriching sensory engagement.
(10) Connection with Nature: Ensures integration with the surrounding natural environment, enhancing the overall sense of place.
A traditional village resembles a fine wine that has matured over centuries, demanding a deep appreciation of its intricate characteristics. Preserving the distinctiveness and identity of such places is crucial for sustaining their cultural and historical significance.
View from the Blanca Observation Deck: The Segura River Valley
In addition to these questions, I also sought to elucidate the transformation process of the town's physical structure by analyzing the spatial layouts and main characteristics of Blanca.
(a) Diagram of Relations Between Blanca and Its Surroundings: The town's location within the valley of the Segura River, surrounded by mountains and abundant greenery, combined with the absence of large-scale industrial facilities, highways, and neighboring cities, contributes to its unique character.
(b) Diagram of the Transformation Process of the Village’s Physical Structure (2D): The historical part of the town is situated at the base of the mountain, while the new residential areas are located near the river. Although the new areas offer more comfortable and spacious apartments, they are characterized by a monotonous and uninspiring appearance. This lack of aesthetic appeal diminishes the likelihood of residents wanting to walk through these streets or spend time in these areas. Consequently, the new part of the town resembles similar developments in other cities, lacking distinctiveness and charm.
(c) Diagram of the Transformation Process of the Village’s Physical Structure (3D): The historical part of the town is situated at the base of the mountain, while the new residential areas are positioned near the river. Although the new areas feature more comfortable and spacious apartments, they are characterized by a monotonous and uninspiring aesthetic. This lack of visual and experiential appeal diminishes residents' motivation to walk through these streets or spend time there. As a result, the new part of the town bears a striking resemblance to similar developments in other cities, lacking unique architectural or cultural distinction.
(d) Visualization of Selected "10 Commandments" of the Village: Plants on the Streets
(e) Visualization of Selected "10 Commandments" of the Village: Pets on the street.
(f) Visualization of Selected "10 Commandments" of the Village: Drawings on the street.
(g) Following the trip, I produced a series of small sketches that explore this topic. Below, you will find descriptions of some of these sketches.
(h) Exploration Rover. This sketch represents the idea that humans, much like Mars exploration rovers, function as walking research centers, constantly experiencing and processing their surroundings. The central theme is encapsulated in the notion: "I do not hear myself in the city." This reflects the feeling of being overwhelmed or disconnected from one's own sensory experiences amidst the urban environment.
(i) Owner of the Street. This sketch explores the concept of pedestrian space versus vehicular dominance. As we walk along a pedestrian street, we feel a sense of relaxation and control, perceiving the street as our personal space. However, the sudden appearance of a car disrupts this tranquility, intruding into our personal space. The car is depicted as a predator, pushing people out of the street and asserting dominance over the space. This illustration emphasizes the need to reclaim streets for people, advocating for a shift in focus from vehicular to pedestrian space.
