A memory is inherently subjective and personal; contained within but not confined to the mind. The recollection of any memory unveils individual and collective identity attributed to a familiar space. Subsequently, retrieving an identity from a space converts that space into 'place'; a consequence of attaching significant experiential quality against a space. The body, and thus the mind, continuously interact with the immediate surrounding spatial environment. When encountering a space of familiarity, the mind is prompted with specific memories linked to that space. Prompted memories are memories of recollection. The theory of 'Re-collective memory' is drawn upon to substantiate the interactive process between memory and space. This theory outlines personal and collective memory as an association with a particular experience, bringing oneself into direct contact with past events or places. Therefore a non-physical memory no longer remains contained within the mind but is manifested into the physical world; collective and individual identity is obtained and space is transfigured into 'place'. The research conducted is an investigation into the relationship between space and memory; how a physical, tangible space manifests a non-physical, intangible memory. Underlying aspects of memory are uncovered to establish its value as a significant design tool in landscape architecture for the acquisition of individual and collective identity in a place. My understanding of memory begins at a personal level. As a child I grew up observing the memories of my mother pertaining to a very specific town; Cathcart, Eastern Cape, South Africa. This small town will serve as the case study for investigating the relationship between memory and space. As a methodological approach, a series of ethnographic interviews were conducted with my family and community members in Cathcart. Key memory locations were then identified, exhibiting significant positive and negative place-making characteristics. An analysis of the memories led to an understanding that Cathcart is currently socially and physically divided. This is rooted in apartheid planning, where major emphasis had been placed on social and spatial segregation according to race. Post-apartheid however, the separation between spaces is still highly prevalent and discourages integration. Consequentially, precarious socio-economic issues are revealed including sanitation, housing, education and job security which continually threaten the town's existence. A weakened sense of belonging and a fervent desire for identity becomes apparent. This is perpetuated through a loss of economy and inadequate service delivery resulting from a lack of spatial and social connectedness throughout the town. These issues are typical phenomena widespread across similar small towns in South Africa. However, one observation of significant importance is that of timber collection by the local Xhosa people of Cathcart who rely on the wood for cooking, warming their homes and for constructing new dwellings. This process provides an opportunity to link memory locations aimed at decreasing socio-spatial disconnect while providing spaces with amenity to stimulate socio-economic growth. As an overarching framework, the process of timber collection will utilise strategic memory locations as spaces for design implementation. Woven together along an experiential route, these memory locations will be transformed into celebrated spectacle moments. The route seeks to reunite the town, providing opportunities to re-establish individual and collective identity. In this way, memory is used to facilitate spaces for place creation while simultaneously providing a platform upon which new memories can be created. As a model, such an approach for design could be applied to other small towns in South Africa that display similar conditions.
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School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics