Spatial practices in urban design

The issue of individuality of spaces in urban design and the search for design methods oriented towards the values, meanings, and traditions of the city are paramount in modern discourse. The identification of urban environments is examined within the framework of a semantic-representational approach and perceptual categories for analyzing urban spaces: textures, imaginaries, and habitus. The concept of spatial practices in urban environments is introduced as a means of representation and identification of space. Definitions and characteristics of spatial practices and types of mobility in urban environment are provided. For theoretical analysis of spatial practices, research in the field of cultural studies, cultural geography, and urban studies are drawn upon, following the cultural and spatial turn in interpreting urban space. The potential of spatial practices is revealed as a tool for emotional, sensory, and meaningful representations of design objects within urban environments. This article contributes to the understanding of how urban spaces can be designed to reflect and enhance the cultural and perceptual dimensions that define them, fostering a deeper connection between inhabitants and their surroundings. It underscores the importance of integrating cultural values and spatial experiences into urban design practices, thereby enriching the urban fabric with distinct identities and meanings.