DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-025-2-0223

REDEFINING UNSEEN SPACES: EXPERIMENTAL AND INNOVATIVE METHODS FOR RESEARCHING URBAN VOIDS

Miroslav Čibik

Institute of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia

Urban voids—often termed "white spaces"—represent overlooked territories within cities, holding untapped potential for spatial regeneration and social engagement. This study presents an innovative pedagogical framework developed at the Institute of Landscape Architecture (Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra), where research on urban voids is integrated into landscape architecture education through studio projects, fieldwork, and student theses. By combining historical analysis, sensory mapping, and experimental cartography, the research employs a six-stage methodology to decode the latent dynamics of these spaces. Case studies from Bratislava, Nitra, Trnava, and Žilina demonstrate how student-led mapping techniques—such as pixel grids (Fig. 1), annotated sketches (Fig. 3), and participatory field surveys (Fig. 2)—reveal patterns of neglect and opportunity in urban voids. The results highlight two key insights: (1) creative-analytical hybrid methods (e.g., collages, sensory diagrams) uncover invisible socio-spatial narratives, and (2) small-scale interventions, tested in academic settings, can serve as prototypes for broader urban reactivation strategies. While the study underscores the value of embedding void research into design pedagogy, it also identifies challenges, including the scalability of student projects and the need for community co-design in real-world applications. This work advances a replicable model for interpreting urban voids, arguing that their transformation begins with seeing them not as empty gaps, but as spaces of pedagogical and civic possibility.

Klíčová slova: white spaces, neglected spaces, urban voids, recreation, urban tourism

stránky: 223-227, Publikováno: 2025, online: 2025