The Departments of Architecture and Media Study, University of Buffalo, State University of New York
Abstract
This paper explores the hybrid nature of mediated urban space in the contemporary city, consisting of architectural spaces interlinked with the digital; situated and networked. We suggest an alternative way of looking into the city, using digitally augmented methods beyond the traditionally established ones in urban design and spatial analysis. Taking the physical space as a starting point, we apply an eco-systemic model to investigate mediated urban forces in the city of London. We identify the implications for the city through mapping, visualization and analysis of geo-located social micro blogging in the form of Twitter data. The discussion of this project is mainly concentrated on the results of time based patterns on geo-located Twitter flows and urban conditions, outlining initial observations about the city and its digital apparatus. By exploring how technology mediates sociality through Twitter channels and the creation of potentially new social representation forms, the project outlines the influence of those mechanisms on social, cultural and political life of cities