Kate McLean-Mackenzie, a researcher at the University of Kent, leads expeditions known as “smell walks” in various cities. During these walks, participants are encouraged to focus solely on their sense of smell, both from a distance and up close. McLean-Mackenzie believes that experiencing places through our sense of smell is just as important as through our eyes.
In an interview with guest host Paul Hunter on “As It Happens,” McLean-Mackenzie discussed how these smell walks have influenced her perception of different locations. Over the past 15 years, she has meticulously documented the scents of 40 towns and cities worldwide for her upcoming book, “Atlas of Scents and Smells.”
She describes the concept of a “smellscape” as the olfactory equivalent of a visual landscape. By collecting data from smell walks around the world, she creates maps that represent the unique smells of each place. For instance, Antarctica is characterized by the blend of a dead seal’s leathery tang and the scent of heavy machinery from the Rothera Research Station.
Reflecting on her research in Kyiv, Ukraine, nine years ago, McLean-Mackenzie recalls the city’s distinct scent marked by its history, including pine forests, the river, and hints of summer in winter. She emphasizes the importance of preserving these scent records as cities evolve and industries change, leading to shifts in their smells over time.
McLean-Mackenzie also highlights the transient nature of scents, exemplified by her experience in Montreal where the morning’s early odors of trees and damp earth transitioned into urban scents like coffee and food as the day progressed.
Beyond cataloging urban scents, McLean-Mackenzie emphasizes the emotional impact of scents on individuals. She finds joy in the stories and emotions tied to different smells, underscoring the complexity and uniqueness of each smellscape. When asked about her favorite scent, she enthusiastically mentions the aroma of a garden shed, describing it as a blend of lawn mower, cut grass, creosote, warm asphalt, and wood.
Through her research and documentation of scents, McLean-Mackenzie aims to capture the essence of each location and the emotional connections people have with different smells.
