Mental Images and the Shaping of Place Identity: How Creative Professionals Perceive a Revitalized Creative District in Bangkok
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Abstract
Creative districts increasingly are promoted as engines of urban revitalization and cultural production, yet little is known about how such spaces are perceived by the creative professionals who inhabit and shape them. This study explores the mental images of creative professionals in Bangkok’s Charoen Krung Creative District, aiming to understand how they cognitively construct the district’s identity through everyday spatial experiences. Drawing upon theoretical frameworks in environmental psychology and creative city concepts, the research employed a qualitative approach using an open-ended listing task. A total of 418 participants who had engaged with the district through creative work and activities were asked to generate mental images based on their perceptions of the area. Thematic analysis of the data yielded ten distinct image clusters, which were synthesized into four overarching themes: historical urban context and cultural knowledge; collective meaning of place; local life; and urban life. The findings revealed that creative professionals interpret the district not only through its physical attributes but also through symbolic, social, and emotional associations. Differences in perception emerged across occupational subgroups, suggesting that creative identity significantly shapes spatial interpretation. The study reveals the merit of mental imagery as an interpretive tool for understanding how place meaning is constructed in urban spaces. The findings have implications for urban design and planning, highlighting the need for inclusive strategies in creating place identity that correspond to diverse perceptual experiences.
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