Reflections upon Storied Place as a Category for Exploring the Significance of the Built Environment

Abstract

This article begins by noting parallels between ancient Israel and New Zealand Maori in the role that narrative plays in defining a sense of place, especially in relation to the land. A convergence of concern across a range of disciplines about the diminished sense of place that exists in modern urban settings is also noted, and various attempts at what might loosely be called narrative-recovery in relation to the built environment are identified. At the same time, the tendency for narratives to be distorted and controlled by those who have vested interests in portraying things in a certain way is exposed, thereby highlighting the complex and problematic nature of stories. Theological questions are raised and possibilities touched on, including a role for the Church in helping society think about what it is that constitutes sacred space. While the issues raised in this paper are relevant to urban environments everywhere, the paper retains a strong New Zealand focus. It includes coverage of the debate surrounding the architectural merits of Te Papa, and asks what it is that constitutes a synthesis of Maori and Pakeha architectural forms and values as we look for signs of a built environment that is increasingly able to reflect our New Zealand identity.