Understanding Space and Place
Understanding the differences between 'space' and 'place' and their importance in the subject of Geography.
Both of the words 'space' and 'place' are common words in our vocabulary. We use it in our non-academic language, such as "there is some space for you over here" or "I have been put in my place today". This story map will help explain the academic usage of the two words and what they mean.
Parker's Piece in central Cambridge, the United Kingdom. An open, green space.
A short explanation of the difference between space and place often includes the idea that place is a space with meaning attached. Place is abstract and not easily defined, whereas a space can be defined in terms of its dimensions and its physical characteristics. Place is often seen to be a human concept within the physical area of a space. Above, a satellite-view map shows Parker's Piece, a space in Cambridge, the United Kingdom. The map does not depict Parker's Piece as a place.
The Cambridge University Fresher's Fair takes place in Parker's Piece over two days in October.
In the winter months, a section of Parker's Piece is transformed into a winter wonderland.
I have included photographed of Parker's Piece being utilised for two different purposes to show how the same space might be experienced and viewed differently by different people. This feeds into the idea that the concept of place is abstract, subjective, and affected by emotion.
Every day, people use Parker's Piece for many different reasons. Fore example, they might use it because it is part of their daily commute or it could be their local "green space" and recreation ground.
Parker's Piece is used by Cambridge University in early October to welcome new students to the university and inform them of the clubs and societies which are exclusively available to them. It is free to attend and takes place over two days. This is known as the Fresher's Fair.
Later in the year, there is a Winter Wonderland, which is related to Christmas festivities. The activities and entertainment inside are not free but the event is open to students, locals and tourists.
Parker's Piece will be a different place to each person who experiences the exact same geographical and physical space. Some people can feel a sense of belonging to a place, some people may feel excluded and some people may feel "out of place".
Parker's Piece surrounded by Cambridge University colleges
It is difficult to use maps and photographs to show place because the idea of place cannot be constrained to a photograph. The same photo of a place might evoke different emotions and signify different things.
The blue door from the 1999 film Notting Hill, starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant.
Moreover, film location tourism is a useful example of how a place is created by the artistic team on a film set. The film crew and actors create a new place within an already existing place and space. The blue door from the 1999 film Notting Hill, starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, symbolises this.
Fans of the film might travel to Portobello Road in Notting Hill, already rich in history and social significance, because this relatively new place that is the blue door, is located there. o
To some people, seeing this blue door will evoke feelings and they are affected by the vision of the door. In contrast, some locals who walk past the door often, might have never watched or heard about the film Notting Hill.
Notting Hill satellite view.
