Liminality Through Sensory Perception in Pedestrian Environments

Abstract

The study examines the urban liminality of Sector 7 in Chimbote, where unplanned urban expansion has generated liminal spaces that alter pedestrians’ sensory perception, causing disorientation and insecurity. The general objective was to analyze the liminality of pedestrian environments through the sensory perception of the urban landscape, aiming to identify levels of liminality, their relationship with spatial configuration, and their influence on pedestrian comfort. The methodology was basic, qualitative, descriptive, non-experimental, and cross-sectional. Direct observation, semi-structured interviews, and surveys were conducted using observation forms, interview guides, and five-point Likert scale questionnaires. Validity was established through expert judgment and Aiken’s V (1.0), and reliability through Cronbach’s Alpha (0.907). The sample consisted of 90 intentionally selected pedestrians. The results showed a medium level of liminality: spatial discontinuity, lack of hierarchy, and environmental degradation in Sector 7 generate negative perceptions of the environment, with 47% of respondents reporting excessive noise and visual disconnection, while 48% reported thermal discomfort. It is concluded that these conditions reinforce urban liminality, revealing a fragmented, uninviting, and sensorially incoherent space.