w3-4 - 2nd draft annotation

ARDN808 // 18/03/26

1. Source (where did this source come from?)

Do, T. D., & Do, S. X. (2025). Shaping Urban Identity: How Physical and Non-Physical Factors Influence Resident Perception. Sage Open, 15(4), 21582440251403740. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251403740

Keywords (2-5): affordance theory, place identity, built environment justice, urban identity, study of environmental behaviour

2. Summary (What is the source saying?)

Briefly describe the key idea(s) the source presents about the context. One or two sentences explaining the core message.

The source discusses their study undertaken of residents and visitors of Da Lat City in Vietnam to identify factors contributing to the perception of urban identity, particularly within the lens of affordance theory and environmental behaviour. Their findings show that “green and blue infrastructure” is notably influential in shaping urban identity across all demographics studied, but differences in factors exist between lower- and higher-income groups: lower-income groups tended to value cultural elements such as public art and festivals while higher-income groups valued architectural features.

3. Relevance (Why does it matter for my research?)

Explain how this source helps you understand the situation, people, environment, or issue your design research is addressing. How does it shape your understanding?

This source introduced me to the concept of affordance theory in the context of spatial design, particularly in shaping urban identity. Affordance theory is derived from the psychological concept that humans have a tendency to reshape their environment to change affordances in a way that better addresses their needs. An affordance can be thought of as the value that an environment provides or offers for a user. When dealing with urban and place identity, affordance theory may be particularly significant when considering what factors of a place drive identity formation: the theory surmises that place identity stems directly from the affordances an environment offers its users.

This source’s findings are also significant for my research: through studying factors across different economic and educational backgrounds, the source has shown the importance of considering the demographics of users in the space I want to target, particularly if I want to focus on publicly accessible space.

4. Connection to Design Decisions (How will it influence my research project?)

State what this context makes you consider, question, or change in your design approach. Does it affect your users, materials, processes, values, ethics, or priorities?

The methods this source employs to study the residents and visitors of their chosen site, including focus group discussions, 1-on-1 interviews and a questionnaire, has led me to question whether I should conduct a user study prior to beginning the design of my final work in order to better understand the demographics of the people who inhabit the space I want to target. Previously, I had planned to undergo ethics approval for user testing at a later stage in my thesis but having a better understanding of what factors influence place identity in my chosen space as well as how those factors vary across demographics may help to inform my design so that it better serves its intended users.

The concept of affordance theory also presents an interesting angle that I could apply in my research through a focus on the affordances, or values, a space provides for its users, and how users typically modify an environment to shape these values according to their needs. From there, I could apply affordance theory to the design of my work so that users can similarly adjust the environment to better suit their needs and desires in a way that cements their urban identity.

5. Reflection (What does this make me think about?)

A short personal insight. Write about something you noticed, questioned, or realised after reading, listening to or experiencing the source.

A particular insight I gained from the source was the call for further research to frame identity as a process, constantly shifting and changing rather than being static. As urbanisation continues to increase both in Auckland and around the world, places and environments as well as the users that inhabit them will rapidly change in increasingly complex ways. Viewing identity as a process may inform the temporal nature of my work, especially given that real-time interaction will be a significant aspect of it and may significantly influence users’ formation of place identity. The work could vary over time in a way that aligns with users’ shifting identities, and/or perhaps embody the process of forming a place identity itself.