Mapping Urban Smellscapes: A GIS-Based Spatial Analysis of Street Morphology and Sensory Environments: Evidence from Biskra (Algeria)

Urban environments are shaped by multisensory experiences in which olfaction plays an important yet often overlooked role. This study investigates the relationship between street morphology and urban smellscape in the city centre of Biskra, Algeria, providing the first empirical smellmapping study conducted in the country. The methodology combines smellwalking with a structured questionnaire to document odour types, perceived intensity, and pleasantness. The collected data were georeferenced and analysed using GIS tools, including point-based olfactory mapping and Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation to explore spatial patterns of smell perception. The results reveal that specific odour typologies and levels of pleasantness are closely associated with street configuration and building morphology. Streets with continuous façades and active ground-floor uses exhibit distinctive olfactory identities, whereas traffic-dominated streets tend to generate less pleasant smell environments. These findings highlight the relevance of smellscape analysis for informing urban design and improving sensory qualities of public spaces.