Thesis abstract:

«p»This research explores how public interiors are mediated in the age of social media by engaging with emerging methodologies in urban data science and computational thinking. Social media, namely Instagram, a digital network platform based on visual content sharing is transforming and influencing our engagement with both our virtual and physical environment. Instagram is viewed here as both an agitator and a tool to understand the urban dynamics of public interiors. The study of cities using location-based data and digital technologies is well established, however the opportunities in harnessing this visually rich dataset and its potential informative value for designers and policy makers is currently understudied. The primary spatial focus of this project is on the “interior” spaces of the public realm. Although much research and theories exist on urban dynamics, flows and the social connections of our cities, there is little understanding of public interiors. This research addresses these existing research gaps to provide a conceptual framework and methodology in using Instagram data to understand public interiors in our contemporary digital cities.«/p»