How can someone describe a place in its entirety? How might we communicate the feelings, ambiance, and energy of an area? When we speak of the “Spirit of Place”, we hope to capture the seen (tangible) and unseen (intangible) elements that give a place its character. This complex notion results from the historical interaction of a community with the locality, and from the interweaving of tangible and intangible elements. The spirit of a place is not static and can change over time, as people’s relationship to the location evolves and new meanings are imbued into the locale.
有人怎麼能描述一個完整的地方？ 我們如何傳達一個地區的感受，氛圍和能量？ 當我們談到“地方之靈”時，我們希望能夠捕捉那些賦予地方特色的所見（有形）和看不見的（無形的）元素。 這種複雜的概念源於社區與地方的歷史互動，以及有形和無形元素的交織。 一個地方的精神不是一成不變的，隨著時間的推移會發生變化，因為人們與地點的關係不斷發展，新的意義也融入了當地。
In your opinion:
Where do you think has strong “Spirit of Place”?
Where do you think has weak “Spirit of Place”?
依你的意見：
你認為哪裡有強大的“地方精神”？
你認為哪裡有弱勢的“地方精神”？
Photo by HKICON
For centuries, mapping has been used to understand the geo-physical structure of an area by creating a visual interpretation of space. Complex information can be dissected and synthesized, often to produce new conceptions of the surrounding area. Maps can communicate geography (space), but also conceptual narratives such as history and change (time). Building upon this, cultural mapping aims to document existing cultural values of a place through chosen attributes. These may include physical features indicating historical development, activities arising from religious beliefs, and social customs reflecting community structures.
過去數個世紀，製圖已一項常用作理解地區的物理結構的手法，主要透過製作空間的視覺詮釋，複雜的資訊能夠得以剖析及整合，常用於帶出地區的新概念。地圖不但能用於地理或空間上的溝通，應用於概念敘述，如歷史及時間上的改變。由此作為基礎，文化製圖用於記錄地區現有的文化價值，主要透過一些特定的元素，包括一些能夠顯示發展歷史的物質，宗教衍生的活動及反映社區架構的民間習俗。
In your opinion:
If you were to map one attribute of your neighborhood, which would you choose?
What might that attribute say about your neighborhood?
你的想法：
如你需就著一項屬於你社區的元素以作製圖，你會選擇哪一項？
而這一項元素反映你社區的哪一方面呢？
Drawing by Eva Sze
Human settlements develop through a process of reciprocal action between humans and the environment. Just as we impact our surroundings, they impact us. Fundamentally speaking, place-making occurs when people mold the environment for various functions: to create shelter, to make a livelihood, to build relationships. If an environment already has an established human settlement, then newcomers engage with that existing settlement by culturally adapting. Both person and place adapt when changes occur in a neighborhood.
人類住區通過人與環境之間的相互作用過程發展。 正如我們影響周圍環境一樣，它們會影響我們。 從根本上說，當人們塑造環境以實現各種功能時，就會發生場所製作：創造住所，謀生，建立關係。 如果一個環境已經建立了人類住區，那麼新移民通過文化適應性來與現有的住區結合。 當鄰居發生變化時，人和地都會適應。
In your opinion:
Which elements in your neighborhood are evidence of cultural adaptation?
Do you think cultural adaptation is a fast or slow process?
依你的意見：
您附近的哪些元素是文化適應的證據？
您認為文化適應是一個快速或緩慢的過程嗎？
Photo by HKICON