Sensory Navigation: Reading the Sensescape of a City

How can mapping the Sensescape of the city of Reading's pedestrianised urban areas improve the user experience of neurodivergent women over the age of 18? Can wayfinding and embodied methodologies by utilised in order to improve awareness of atypical sensory engagement and city navigation facilitate accessibility

Abstract There is a male bias in ASD research and little is known about women's experience of place. My research aims to address these discrepancies and develop a transferable methodology that can be used with other demographics. I will undertake a unique case study into Reading's sensory landscape and the impact

that it has on autistic women aged 18 and over. Working closely with Reading's ASD networks and UK leading autistic charity Autistica, I will employ wearable technologies in order to accurately map the physical impact of the environment on the individual. In conjunction with this, I will use surveys, questionnaires and interviews to understand the

psychological impact. I expect that the research will yield data that redefines how we think about, and engage with, neurodivergent women. My research will promote inclusivity and accessibility in pedestrianised areas and facilitate empathetic activism in collaboration with ASD communities. Project Objectives

There is an acknowledged gap in research surrounding sensory processing within the neurodivergent community, however, this gap is expensive in relation to women's experience. This project is unique in addressing the sensory impact on this demographic specifically in the pedestrianised urban sense scapes.

A key area to address is the differences in wayfinding that neurodivergent have. By understanding how sensory stimulation and overload impacts upon wayfinding, we can better understand the use of pedestrianised places. Utilizing embodied, practice-based and qualitative methodologies to deliver a comprehensive and holistic approach to data

collation, knowledge gathering and dissemination driving the field of transdisciplinary research. The University of Reading will help to build my career in research facilitating me to generate research and disseminate my findings. I will be able to contribute to the discourse that impacts public policies and influences the built environment as well as

urban planning. The implications of this project will drive and inform future research in multiple research fields; ASD research, feminist research and the urban environment. It will highlight further gaps in knowledge in conjunction with bridging gaps. By working with the demographic the project will raise awareness and promote advocacy and agency.

Background Sensory processing in ASD is severely under-researched and ripe for investigation. According to Autistica, 8 in 10 ASD people have problems experiencing the sensory world and 9 in 10 'feel' that they experience it 'differently'. Sensory processing in relation to place is a top ten priority. Research has suggested that there may be a

genetic link between autism and mental health conditions - tangible evidence suggesting that environments trigger or influence how these conditions manifest. Suicide is currently the leading cause of death in the ASD community with women twice as likely to enact than men - only £6.60 is spent on research per ASD person per year

but there is no gender breakdown of spending (Autistica, 2016). With an approximate diagnosis of 3:1 male to female, we can expect that there will be a trend dominated by male-orientated spending and research (Looms et al., 2017). The research I will undertake will be unique, impactful and meaningful, it will directly

address systemic injustices linked to feminism, ableism and architecture. Having implications on a spectrum of disciplines, including psychogeographic, urban planning sectors and the built environment. Through mapping and understanding 'place' we can generate empathetic responses and inclusive outcomes.