Kate McLean-Mackenzie, a researcher from the University of Kent, leads guided olfactory experiences known as “smell walks” in various urban settings.
During a smell walk, participants rely solely on their sense of smell to perceive their surroundings, focusing on both distant and nearby scents.
Although unconventional to some, intentionally exploring a city through scent is a practice McLean-Mackenzie advocates, emphasizing the importance of experiencing places not just visually but also through olfaction.
According to McLean-Mackenzie, engaging in smell walks alters one’s perception of the world, prompting individuals to slow down and view locations from a new olfactory perspective.
For over a decade, McLean-Mackenzie has meticulously documented the aromas of 40 different towns and cities worldwide for her forthcoming publication, Atlas of Scents and Smells.
Understanding ‘Smellscapes’
McLean-Mackenzie describes “smellscapes” as the olfactory equivalent of visual landscapes, created by synthesizing data collected during smell walks conducted globally.
She explains that a smellscape resembles a visual landscape where one can observe their immediate surroundings, except in this case, it refers to the scents present in the vicinity.
In her research, McLean-Mackenzie highlights the diverse olfactory profiles of regions, such as the distinctive scent of Antarctica, characterized by the blend of decaying seal and machinery odors at the Rothera Research Station.
According to researcher McLean-Mackenzie, the Rothera Research Station in Antarctica emits scents of dead seals and industrial machinery. (Juan68/Shutterstock)
In her exploration of Kyiv, Ukraine, nine years ago, McLean-Mackenzie recalls the city’s historical fragrance, a fusion of pine forest, river scents, and occasional hints of summer amidst winter, including mossy and green elements.
Reflecting on the impact of time and events like Russia’s incursion into Ukraine, McLean-Mackenzie emphasizes the importance of preserving scent archives to capture the evolving nature of smellscapes.
She underscores the significance of documenting how scents evolve alongside changes in urban environments and industries, emphasizing the value of visual and textual records of cities’ distinctive aromas.