Exploring the Role of 'Visual Catalysts' on Influencing People's Attraction and Use of Place

AFTER VIVID
The first period <strong>of</strong> behaviour mapping for session three, known as S3 (1), took place on <strong>the</strong>
17th <strong>of</strong> July 2016 from 6:15-7:15PM. On this Sunday evening, a total <strong>of</strong> 173 people were
observed during this hour. The second period <strong>of</strong> behaviour mapping for session three, known
as S3 (2), took place on <strong>the</strong> 19th <strong>of</strong> July 2016 from 1:30-2:30PM. On this Tuesday afternoon, a
total <strong>of</strong> 215 people were observed during this hour. There was a proportionally even split <strong>of</strong>
gender in both observed periods <strong>of</strong> behaviour mapping.
Approximately 29% <strong>of</strong> people in S3 (1) and 36% <strong>of</strong> people in S3 (2) were determined to have
observed some element <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir environment around <strong>the</strong>m with direct intent. As shown by
figure 5.9, <strong>the</strong> most observed landmark/feature <strong>of</strong> both periods was <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> harbour. The
harbour was observed by 19% <strong>of</strong> people is S3 (1), and 16% <strong>of</strong> people in S3 (2). In relation
to place, people were had similar observation patterns to that seen before <strong>the</strong> VIVID
festival was active. People were more interested in looking at things which were not in <strong>the</strong>ir
immediate place, but were ra<strong>the</strong>r interested in <strong>the</strong> typical landmarks and icons that Sydney is
synonymous for; being <strong>the</strong> Opera House, <strong>the</strong> Sydney Harbour Bridge and <strong>the</strong> harbour itself. A
diagrammatic plan <strong>of</strong> what landmarks/features were observed for both periods S3 (1) and S3
(2) can be seen by figures 5.11 and 5.12 on <strong>the</strong> following spread.
The amount and flow <strong>of</strong> people observed was also similar between <strong>the</strong> two periods <strong>of</strong>
behaviour mapping. As shown by figure 5.10, <strong>the</strong> main type <strong>of</strong> movement observed in this
space was walking, and <strong>the</strong> two less common types were running and cycling. Likewise, <strong>the</strong>
most common speed <strong>of</strong> people who moved through <strong>the</strong> space was classified as fast.
These observations were similar to those observed before <strong>the</strong> VIVID festival was active, and
suggest <strong>the</strong> experience <strong>of</strong> place in terms <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> number and flow <strong>of</strong> people returned to what it
was like prior to <strong>the</strong> ‘visual catalysts’. This is fur<strong>the</strong>r underscored by <strong>the</strong> finding that only 23%
and 29% respectively stopped at any point during <strong>the</strong> behaviour mapping <strong>of</strong> S3 (1) and S3 (2);
similar findings to those seen prior to <strong>the</strong> VIVID installation.
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