Urban Screens as a Tool for Placemaking

  • Mona Essam Helmy The British University in Egypt

Abstract

Urban screens, as part of the lightscape of places, can play a fundamental role in placemaking. They have the flexibility to be positioned in various locations in spaces with various sizes, shapes, moods, and effects for functional or aesthetical reasons. They can be temporary or permanent, active, or interactive instruments for creating a dynamic, stimulating, and unique public realm atmosphere that engages people and encourages social interaction.

This research aims to create a theoretical framework for urban screen typologies as tools for placemaking. It investigates, explores, analyzes, and discusses different approaches where urban screens are used as a main tool for placemaking. Various international case studies, such as Al Wasl Dom in Dubai, UAE, Sony Centre in Berlin, Germany, Times Square in New York, USA, and light festivals around the world are comprehensive examples of placemaking through different applications of urban screens.

To reach its aim, the research uses a mixed methods approach and several tools, such as archrivals and literature review as main sources for the theoretical knowledge base, while critical analysis of practical examples is used to support the pragmatism of the proposed placemaking framework.   

Published
2023-12-30
How to Cite
Helmy, M. (2023). Urban Screens as a Tool for Placemaking. UXUC - User Experience and Urban Creativity, 5(2), 34 - 47. https://doi.org/10.48619/uxuc.v5i2.784