Malioboro at night: Capturing human movement in an urban environment through a cinematic lens

¹ Doctoral Program of Architecture and Urbanism, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Diponegoro, Central Java, Indonesia
² Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia
³ Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: arnisrochmaharani@lecturer.undip.ac.id

Abstract

The idea of spatial experience in urban environments can be related to studying human and object movement. The urban night scene experience remains underexplored in terms of how human movement and visual attention influence spatial perception. This study will use the Malioboro area as a research location, which has a distinctive pedestrian character. Although previous research at this location has addressed pedestrian patterns, few have focused on how different temporal aspects may influence spatial narratives, especially at night. Using a cinematic lens, this study explores the system of human movement and stopping points in urban environments. Two research methods were used in this study. Quantitative data is used to explore perceptions as people move through a series of cultural corridors. GIS-based kernel density is applied to determine the density of stop points. This study emphasises the relations between urban space and human movement, which can inform design strategies focused on environmental qualities. The findings demonstrate that visual attention and spatial narratives play crucial roles in guiding movement, forming memories, and enhancing engagement with the environment. This paper enhances people's understanding of urban environments by considering human movement as an integral aspect of cinematic discourse.