University of Kent researcher Kate McLean-Mackenzie organizes “smell walks” in various cities to explore the scents of different environments. During these walks, participants focus on the smells they encounter both nearby and in the distance. McLean-Mackenzie believes that experiencing places through our sense of smell, in addition to sight, offers a unique perspective on the world.
Over the past 15 years, McLean-Mackenzie has studied and documented the scents of 40 towns and cities worldwide for her upcoming book, “Atlas of Scents and Smells.” She creates “smellscapes” by collecting data from these smell walks, defining them as the olfactory equivalent of a visual landscape that captures the variety of scents present in a specific location.
For instance, Antarctica’s smellscape includes the odor of dead seals and the machinery at the Rothera Research Station. In Kyiv, Ukraine, the city’s historical essence is reflected in a blend of pine forests, the river, and hints of summer in winter with moss and greenery.
McLean-Mackenzie emphasizes the importance of preserving scent records as cities and landscapes evolve, noting that the smellscapes will also change over time. She highlights the transient nature of smells by recounting how Montreal’s scents shifted from natural elements in the early morning to urban aromas later in the day.
Beyond just identifying scents, McLean-Mackenzie believes that the emotional connection to smells is significant. She finds joy in the stories and emotions tied to scents, emphasizing the complexity of a smellscape and the memories it evokes. Her favorite scent, she reveals, is the aroma of a garden shed, describing it as a mix of lawn mower, cut grass, creosote, and the warmth of wood and asphalt.
McLean-Mackenzie’s work goes beyond cataloging scents; it aims to capture the essence of how scents influence people’s feelings and memories. She believes that each individual has a unique smell story that holds sentimental value, making each smellscape a rich tapestry of emotions and experiences.