Place Atmosphere: A New Approach to Cemetery Research (A Case Study of Kalitnikovskoe Cemetery)

  • Alisa Storchak Independent Researcher
Keywords: place atmosphere, spatial perception, urban cemetery, urban space, Kalitnikovskoe Cemetery, walking interview, emotional experience

Abstract

This article explores the concept of place atmosphere in relation to urban cemeteries, using Moscow’s Kalitnikovskoe Cemetery as a case study. Despite frequent mentions of “cemetery atmosphere” in everyday and literary discourse, there is little scientific research on this phenomenon. In the Russian context, the perception of cemetery atmosphere often carries negative connotations, influenced by both infrastructural issues and cultural specificities. Based on 16 preliminary interviews and 11 walking interviews with visitors to Kalitnikovskoe Cemetery, the author identifies key factors that shape its atmosphere and analyzes their impact on spatial perception. The study presents a typology of elements that positively and negatively affect visitor experience, and proposes a model for describing the collective atmosphere of a cemetery as an urban object.

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Published
2025-03-31
How to Cite
StorchakA. (2025). Place Atmosphere: A New Approach to Cemetery Research (A Case Study of Kalitnikovskoe Cemetery). Urban Studies and Practices, 10(1), 87-98. https://doi.org/10.17323/usp101202587-98