The unknown city: Visual arts-based educational research on the living city experiences of university students

Through an Arts-Based Educational Research (ABER) methodology, we explore the urban perceptions of fourth-year university students from the School of Education at the University of Granada (Spain). ABER methodologies provide a subtle, representative and sensitive approach to the urban experience. In this study, we surveyed 130 students, asking them to draw and cut out a city map of Granada. This was done in order to reveal the known boundaries of the city and to identify the parts yet to be discovered by the students. With these answers as collected data, an ABER analysis was carried out through the production of visual media. Assessing findings quantitatively and visually allowed for the further investigation of students' knowledge of the city. This inquiry questions the role of the graphic map in research and the boundaries between its technical and artistic values. These findings validate the use of ABER instruments to investigate the city and enhance understanding of the way students live the urban life.