Glosssary for Urban Identity
The Language of Belonging
At Where Do I Belong?, we use a proprietary set of metrics to audit the world. Understanding these terms is the first step in moving from a "visitor" to a "stakeholder."
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List of Terms
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Geography Tax The hidden emotional and mental cost of living in a location that is misaligned with your internal biology. High Geography Tax manifests as chronic restlessness, social isolation, and "environmental friction." Our mission is to reduce this tax to zero.
Social Anchor A physical location or community group that provides "cultural weight" to a neighborhood. These are the "Bedrock" institutions—like a 100-year-old fish market or a local library—that allow a person to feel rooted. Without anchors, a neighborhood is merely a corridor.
Identity Strata The layers of history, culture, and architecture that make up a city’s "soil." Bedrock: The deep, unmoving history and founding values of a place. Subsoil: The transitional layer of infrastructure and previous generations. Topsoil: The current commercial and social trends. An Urban Audit determines if the Topsoil is rich enough to support new roots.
Speed-Senseâ„¢ A proprietary diagnostic used to measure the "Velocity Gap" between an individual's natural internal tempo and the external sensory load of their environment. If the city moves at 80mph and your soul moves at 20mph, the resulting "Speed-Sense Clash" prevents belonging.
Transition Zone A geographic area or life phase where old identities are shed but new ones haven't yet taken root. The Wharf (D.C.) is a classic Manufactured Transition Zone—high in commercial nutrients but still developing its "Bedrock."
Sanctuary vs. Corridor Sanctuary: A space designed for "low-velocity" human connection and sensory restoration. Corridor: A space designed for transit and transaction. Many people mistakenly try to live in Corridors, leading to high Geography Tax.
Identity Insulation (n.) The ability of a neighborhood to maintain its unique "soul" despite economic or social shifts. High insulation protects residents from feeling like strangers in their own homes as the city evolves.