Documenting Sensation: Reimagining Urban Data for Equity and Sustainability

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This paper explores the historical and contemporary practices of documenting urban planning in Tampa Bay, emphasizing the role of sensory experiences in fostering sustainable and equitable development. Using the 1989 Future of Hillsborough Transportation Concepts white paper as a case study, the research critiques the dominance of efficiency-focused documentation in urban policy. This study highlights how such frameworks often neglect cultural and sensory dimensions critical to community well-being. The research calls for a shift towards documenting sensory experiences, drawing on the concept of the sensorium, to bridge the gap between technical data and lived urban experiences. The paper argues that integrating sensory and cultural narratives into urban planning can create more inclusive and responsive cities, as illustrated through the case of La Segunda Bakery and the community protests against highway expansion. This approach provides a more holistic understanding of urban spaces, advocating for planning methodologies that extend beyond economic efficiency to support vibrant and socially connected communities.