LANGUAGE AND IDENTITY IN URBAN PARKS: EXPLORING COMMUNITY, CULTURE, AND ENVIRONMENT THROUGH SIGNAGE AND ART

LANGUAGE AND IDENTITY IN URBAN PARKS

Abstract

In this study, the following research questions are formulated: To what extent does signage, graffiti, and public art in urban parks reflect community identity, cultural difference, and environmental beliefs? Thus, it was defined that the study aims at identifying how the three forms of expression under study contribute to the formation of audiences and interaction in the context of urban city. Non-probability, cross-sectional data collection methods involved field observations, and semi- structured interviews with park visitors, and photographing signs, graffiti, and public art in different parks across urban areas. The study also showed that in addition to regulation and environmental messages, signage is used explicitly as a form of inclusive representation through symbols of multilingualism. The graffiti then became a lively, captivating style of people’s expression that responded to patriotic feelings, civic concerns and ecological initiatives unlike the often-rigid legislation of signage. Art signs arranged systematically and for their esthetic and symbolic appeal communicated the messages of cultural history, social cohesion and environmental consciousness, evoking audiences’ pride and participation. This paper shows that these modes of communication complement each other to form a complex society that encompasses different identities and values of the urban population. As such, this paper offers evidence that in these expressions, urban parks are much more than leisure locations but points of cultural conversations and call for nature conservation. Further research is called for to analyze the effects of interactivity of digital signage and the changing role of graffiti in society and future research to investigate the continued influence of public art on societal perception and behavioral changes.