Mental maps are representations of an individual or group’s internal cognitive map, hand-sketched or computer-assisted, of a given space. Mental maps combine factual information with judgments or subjective interpretations and include knowledge of landmarks, route connections, distance and direction relations, as well as non-spatial attributes and emotional associations.
Mental maps incorporate narratives of place, personalised engagements with space, built environment elements, and physical elements.
Mental maps provide a way of understanding:
They can also provide insights into the way minority and marginalised groups experience and perceive the city.
Mental maps can be used in capturing the everyday experiences of cities, particularly for marginalised and oppressed groups, and contributing to policy and planning at all scales.