The Mental Map of Neighborhoods in Bucharest Introductive Study of Mental Geography

Abstract

Mental geography appears where human geography meets psychology and studies the perception of space in all its forms. The most common method of analyzing space perception is the mental map, which is an advanced cartographical research technique with a dynamic character. This paper is just an introductive study, a part of a larger research, which concentrates on neighborhoods in Bucharest. Although neighborhoods are not officially set and they are not used in administration, they are the most often used spatial references. Being unofficial, the limits, names, and even existence of most of the neighborhoods are disputed. Each citizen has their own mental map therefore this issue is perfect for a case study of mental geography.

Keywords

• Bucharest
• mental geography
• mental map
• neighborhood
• urban perception