Recall cartography
type: CreativeWork
description: 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 character…
abstract: 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 character…
author: Jacobs, Rhuben Stefan
language: eng
date published: 2014
date modified: 2026-07-22T22:23:17Z
provider: University of Cape Town
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/13336