The interpretation of cultural influences in the development and use of Swiss town squares

The intent of this project is to provide landscape architects with new options for research strategies and presentation of information about cultural landscapes. This study specifically examines the use of stories as a way of understanding cultural influences in two Swiss town squares. Three types of stories were investigated: stories of site histories, stories of "a day in the life of" the town squares, and the stories of experience as told by the people who lived and worked at the sites. The presentation of these site stories takes the form of an exhibition illustrating each place. Using graphic techniques suggested by the writings of Edward Tufte and James Corner, the researcher seeks to establish the claims of Norma Livo and others: that stories are a fundamental way of gaining comprehension of a situation or experience. Viewers of the exhibition have been interviewed in order to evaluate their understanding of the town squares after seeing the exhibition.