Application of color psychology for the community improvement of public spaces: Pukllary Llajta Park (Comas)

Abstract

Since ancient times, color has been an evocative medium capable of generating instant and profound reactions in those who inhabit or perceive a space. These emotional and symbolic meanings make color a powerful tool for the perceptual revitalization of public space within a given cultural context. The study of this relationship is usually approached from physical, physiological, or psychological perspectives. Moreover, in the fields of architecture and urban planning, it involves perspectives derived from semiotics and sociology, which highlight its social dimension. However, in the design process, color is often considered an added detail, when its integration should begin from the conceptual phase. In part, this is because the literature analyzing the psychology of color does not specifically address its relationship with perception in public spaces, but rather explains the concepts as independent elements. This manuscript begins with the premise of establishing a methodology to determine criteria for the appropriate application of color when it is used for its connotative and symbolic values, with the aim of enriching the livability of a public space through its effects on visual comfort. The research is based on an analysis that combines theoretical findings with interviews with residents of a specific case study. In this way, the importance of a theoretical and practical understanding of the psychological effects of color is illustrated as a strategy for enhancing the community experience in public spaces.