University of Kent researcher Kate McLean-Mackenzie conducts “smell walks” in various cities, where participants focus solely on their sense of smell to experience their surroundings. She believes that places should be explored not only through sight but also through scent.
McLean-Mackenzie, during an interview with guest host Paul Hunter on “As It Happens,” mentioned that these smell walks help individuals perceive locations in a new way and appreciate the world differently. Over the past 15 years, she has studied and documented the scents of 40 towns and cities globally for her upcoming book, “Atlas of Scents and Smells.”
She defines “smellscapes” as the olfactory version of visual landscapes, mapping out the scents experienced during the walks in different parts of the world. The scents of places like Antarctica and Kyiv have been captured in her research, showcasing the unique blend of smells that define each location.
McLean-Mackenzie emphasizes the importance of preserving scent records as cities evolve and industries change, leading to alterations in their smellscapes. She highlights that scents are ephemeral and can vary depending on the time of day and location, as demonstrated in her observations in Montreal.
Beyond merely identifying and recording scents, McLean-Mackenzie’s work delves into how these scents evoke emotions and memories in people. Despite the subjectivity of scent perception, she finds the connections formed when individuals share similar scent experiences to be truly magical.
For McLean-Mackenzie, the allure of her research lies in the stories and emotions tied to scents, showcasing the intricate and diverse nature of smellscapes. When asked about her favorite scent, she promptly mentioned the scent of a garden shed, describing it as a blend of cut grass, creosote, warm asphalt, and wood.
Her work not only captures the essence of different places but also sheds light on the profound impact scents have on human experiences, making her research a fascinating exploration of the sensory world.
