Kate McLean-Mackenzie, a researcher from the University of Kent, leads exploratory “smell walks” in various cities. During these walks, participants rely solely on their sense of smell to absorb information about their surroundings. Encouraged to focus on scents both near and far, participants experience a unique perspective of their environment.
McLean-Mackenzie emphasizes the importance of not just seeing but also smelling places. She believes that experiencing locations through our noses can lead to a different understanding and appreciation of them. Over the past 15 years, she has meticulously documented the smells of 40 towns and cities worldwide for her upcoming book, “Atlas of Scents and Smells.”
Describing her process, McLean-Mackenzie explains that she creates “smellscapes” by compiling data collected during smell walks in different regions globally. These smellscapes, she notes, are akin to visual landscapes but for the sense of smell, capturing what one encounters in their immediate olfactory surroundings.
In her research, McLean-Mackenzie has captured distinctive scents from various locations. For instance, Antarctica’s smell is a mix of the leathery tang of dead seals and the scent of machinery at the Rothera Research Station. She also recounts the unique scents of Kyiv, Ukraine, noting how they reflect the city’s history.
McLean-Mackenzie emphasizes the importance of preserving scent records as cities evolve over time. With industries and landscapes changing, she believes that documenting these evolving smellscapes is essential. One example she provides is the changing smellscape of Montreal, where she observed a shift in scents from early morning to later in the day.
Beyond the scientific aspect, McLean-Mackenzie highlights the emotional connection people have with scents. She finds the stories that emerge from her research to be enchanting, with each individual having a unique and poignant smell-related memory. Despite the subjectivity of scent perception, she finds beauty in the shared experiences when participants agree on particular smells.
McLean-Mackenzie’s dedication to capturing the essence of different locations through smell stems from the emotional resonance and complexity of scents. She finds beauty in the multifaceted nature of smellscapes, where no place is defined by a single scent. When asked about her favorite scent, she fondly recalls the intricate mix of scents found inside a garden shed.
