Mental Maps of Amsterdam
In my research on the perception of the Ring A10 in Amsterdam, the respondents were asked to mark the points that were important to them, draw lines of their routes through the area and mark the zones of specific memory or feelings. This task also created an opportunity to discuss what had been drawn and what had been subconsciously left out. To analyse the collected data, all the maps were combined and generalized in order to create one common cognitive image.
Research results
Research conclusions
Most of the respondents had more to say about the inside, showing the places they often go to such as friend’s houses, cafes or bars. There were more memories linked to the inner part of the ring. The collective image shows very clear differences between the two sides. However, it is not caused by the ring itself but rather by the distance from the city centre and the way how the city developed. The new initiatives were pointed out in the close proximity of the ring but the ring itself has been rarely mentioned.
The Ring A10 was drawn mostly as a reference line, there was no specific association or feeling linked to it. Finally, the ring strengthens the division of the sides by its size and scale of disruption of the urban fabric. At the same time, the strong contradictory character of the two adjacent sides makes the ring disappear in the citizens perception.
