scholarly journals Do–It–Yourself Urban Design: The Social Practice of Informal “Improvement” Through Unauthorized Alteration

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon C. C. Douglas
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Social Science ◽  
Urban Design ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Social Practice ◽  
Urban Policy ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
The Social ◽  
Do It Yourself ◽  
Analytical Category

There are numerous ways in which people make illegal or unauthorized alterations to urban space. This study identifies and analyzes one that has been largely ignored in social science: explicitly functional and civic–minded informal contributions that I call “do–it–yourself urban design.” The research, which began as an investigation into more “traditional” nonpermissable alterations, uncovered these cases—from homemade bike lanes and street signs to guerrilla gardens and development proposals—that are gaining visibility in many cities, yet are poorly accounted for by existing perspectives in the literature. This article examines the existing theories and evidence from interviews and other fieldwork in 14 cities in order to develop the new analytical category of DIY urban design. I present findings on the creators of these interventions, on their motivations to “improve” the built environment where they perceive government and other development actors to be failing, and on the concentration of their efforts in gentrifying areas. This introduces the possibility of conflict and complicates their impact. I argue that DIY urban design has wide–ranging implications for both local communities and broader urban policy.

scholarly journals Wpływ kapitału społecznego mieszkańców na kształtowanie przestrzeni wspólnych w środowisku mieszkaniowym

2020 ◽  
pp. 42-54
Author(s):  
Anna Cudny
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Development Strategy ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
National Development ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Aesthetic Quality ◽  
The Social ◽  
The City

Influence of social capital of inhabitants on shaping common spaces in a housing environment The last two decades of the century have brought unusually many changes in the built environment. These include not only changes directly related to the emergence of a new urban fabric, but also changes in social attitudes towards common spaces located in residential areas. The built environment has never been evaluated so strongly. This assessment translates not only into the everyday outdoor activities of residents (necessary, optional and social activities), but also to economic projects (purchase, sale and rental of real estate). At the same time, the city ceases to be, as it has been so far, mainly subjected to criticism, and the residents are gradually changing their demanding attitude concerning the development of space to participate in the process of its creation. Society wants to have a real impact on urban space, especially on the space closest to them. Thus, the right to the city is no longer a privilege or a duty, but it becomes a need. Trying to meet this need results in a phenomenon which we can increasingly observe in Poland, and which we have been witnessing abroad for many years: activities in public space are changing into activities for public space. They include the transformation of common spaces related to the place of residence—improving their aesthetic quality, functional changes, modernization of development elements. Observing numerous examples of public participation in shaping public spaces, it was noticed that the initiation, course and effects of activities largely depend on the social capital of the group undertaking said activity. Accordingly, there is a need for research on the mutual relation between the level of social capital and the issue of shaping and managing public space with the participation of local communities, which will be the main topic of the paper. To investigate the above-mentioned issue, qualitative research methods were used in relation to the relationship: site visit, non-participant observation and focus interviews. This contributed to a comparative study of three selected Warsaw case studies. They were analysed in terms of meeting the qualitative criteria selected for the study. These criteria have been indicated on the basis of the Social Capital Development Strategy 2020, which is one of the parts of the Medium-Term National Development Strategy. The result of the analyses is an indication of derived factors from within the group of space users and external factors that have a positive and negative impact on initiating, carrying out and maintaining the effects of changes in common spaces developed with the participation of local communities in Polish conditions. The conclusions can be used to improve future participation processes related to urban space - both by non-professionals participating in them, as well as experts - architects and town planners.

Constructive Deviance

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon C.C. Douglas
Keyword(s):  
Critical Theory ◽  
Social Science ◽  
Urban Design ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Art Criticism ◽  
Urban Spaces ◽  
The People ◽  
Design Activities ◽  
Do It Yourself ◽  
Key Terms

This chapter defines do-it-yourself urban design in detail. It does so first in contrast to existing social science perspectives (in sociology, criminology, art criticism, psychology, and critical theory) on unauthorized urban space interventions more generally: place-based direct actions that challenge normative uses of particular urban spaces. It argues that DIY urban design is distinct in its intentions and its form. The chapter describes the process of inquiry and discovery at the outset of the research and initial observations. Definitions for other key terms, including informality and formality, are also given. Additional findings about the actions themselves and the people who create them flesh out the definition while introducing some points of distinction among types of DIY urban design activities. Three main categories of DIY urban design are described: spontaneous streetscaping, renegade renewal, and aspirational urbanism. The discussion raises many of the questions that guide the remainder of the study.

scholarly journals Participation in Cities in Sociological Discourse

Discourse ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 46-61
Author(s):  
A. A. Beschasnaya ◽  
N. N. Pokrovskaia
Keyword(s):  
Urban Environment ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Social Practice ◽  
Urban Population ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Urban Life ◽  
Social Solidarity ◽  
City Management ◽  
The Social ◽  
The City

Introduction. The social practice of participativeness, active participation in the transformation of urban space in the interests of residents, is gaining popularity among the urban population. The study of this phenomenon is interest for obvious integration with management decisions. Expanding the practice of implementing social activity of the population and studying the components of participativeness determine the goal of writing the paper-the formation of a theoretical and methodological basis for studying this phenomenon.Methodology and source. The paper presents a review of classical and modern sociological theories that reveal the potential of empirical study of aspects of the manifestation of participation of urban residents. Among the mentioned by the authors are the theory of social action, social solidarity, phenomenology, social constructivism.Results and discussion. The problematic nature of living in cities and the penetration of these problems into the daily interaction of citizens forms the origins of solidary participation of citizens-individual and private interests form collective actions-processes. Multiple individual forms of citizens' activity on urban improvement are transformed into participativeness – institutionalized joint activity. Its participants can take differentiated positions in the social structure of the urban community according to the criteria of having a diverse experience of interaction, i.e. exchange, with the urban environment and taking a position in the city management structure, which determines the level of regulated authority to make managerial decisions. The problems of urban life that are common to different categories of citizens and the typification of social activity to solve them order the interaction of participants, organize and “produce” the urban space.Conclusion. In the process of reasoning, a theoretical model of the formation of participativeness is presented, which allows us to trace the transformation of activity of the urban population into the right to the city and the formation of a favorable urban environment.

Creating Neighbourhood Networks: Why the Alvalade Landscape Matters to Housing

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-53
Author(s):  
Romana Xerez
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Urban Design ◽  
Social Housing ◽  
Urban Policy ◽  
Network Resources ◽  
Social Mix ◽  
The Social ◽  
Community Ties ◽  
Development Failure

How does social capital matter to the creation of neighbourhood networks in cities? Social housing in Portugal is some times viewed as a single architectural and building environment development failure. This article discusses a relevant Portuguese urban planning landscape and aims to contribute to the discussion of one of its main purpose – the social housing experiment. The author discusses the case of this landscape as urban policy-making and evaluates its implementation and relevance. She hypothesizes that “neighbourhood units” have become a relevant case in the context of neighbourhood planning and housing social-mix in Lisbon. Firstly, she uses theoretical arguments and findings to discuss an urban experiment - Alvalade Landscape. Secondly, the paper analyses relevant data that demonstrates its links to the housing policies thus enriching the urban design. The article offers evidence from the Alvalade Landscape case study in Lisbon of theoretical and empirical community ties in the 1940s. Thirdly, the paper identifies some elements such as community units, social mix, sidewalks, and that have an impact on neighbourhood design as well as people’s lives. The findings show that supportive neighbour ties provide important network resources (social capital) concerning daily life, illness, support or financial aid. Finally, the paper suggests the relevance that social neighbourhood community has in housing programs and policies.

Is Marx a Moral Consequentialist?

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 541-563
Author(s):  
Jeffrey S. Vogel
Keyword(s):  
Social Science ◽  
Social Practice ◽  
Social Criticism ◽  
Social Meaning ◽  
Moral Language ◽  
Political Views ◽  
The Social ◽  
Normative Basis ◽  
Richard Boyd ◽  
Sophisticated Version

Derek Allen, Richard Boyd, and Alan Gilbert have suggested that Marx’s normative political views should be reconstructed as a sophisticated version of moral consequentialism. This paper investigates whether Marx’s ostensible anti-moralism differs in any interesting way from Mill’s sophisticated utilitarianism plus some Marxist social science. I present an account of the social meaning and implications of moral language and argument, based on Marx’s description of morality as a social practice based on distinctive motives, emotions and sanctions, to explain why Marx would reject moral consequentialism. This account will explain how Marx can consistently reject morality yet retain a normative basis for his social criticism.

scholarly journals The Architectural Object as a Sociospatial System

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (15) ◽  
pp. 41-53
Author(s):  
Lubomir Popov ◽  
Franklin Goza
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Social Science ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Material Objects ◽  
User Centred Design ◽  
Social Inadequacy ◽  
Usability Problems ◽  
The Social ◽  
Holistic Interpretation ◽  
User Friendly

AbstractConcerns with the social inadequacy of architecture and the movement towards user-centred design call for new perspectives and architectural visions that can help alleviate usability problems and make buildings more user-friendly and accommodating in supporting user operations. Accordingly, this study proposes the concept of the sociospatial system. This conceptualization is based on premises of the systems approach and a social science interpretation of the problem. We provide a foundation for relating spatial-material objects and sociocultural phenomena, for homogenizing different discipline perspectives, and for developing relational descriptions of the systems components. This allows the built environment to be represented in terms of the sociocultural organism that it accommodates. The elastic concept of the sociospatial system described herein can be used as a holistic framework for the study of sociospatial interactions; including facilities programming and design, where this way of thinking can facilitate a holistic interpretation of a wide array of considerations.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Influence of Governance on the Built form:  The Redevelopment of Wellington, New Zealand’s Waterfront Precinct

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Colin O'Byrne
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Urban Design ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Land Development ◽  
Urban Morphology ◽  
Development Projects ◽  
Planning And Design ◽  
Built Form ◽  
The Social ◽  
Development Processes

<p>Because there are many ways of structuring and managing a land development process, this research asks the question: What influence do different decision making approaches have on the built form of the Wellington waterfront redevelopment?  The form of the built environment is shaped by existing physical and economic conditions; the values of those involved in the planning and design of it; and, the activities of those who occupy it. However, the social structure and mechanisms of decision making (i.e. the governance) within the urban planning and design stages of the development process act as a filter for identifying and prioritizing factors that will have the greatest influence on the form. Because of the filter effect, this thesis argues the governance of a development process has observable effects on the built form of the associated development project.  A review of urban design, urban morphology, and land development literature identified related research on the governance-built form relationship. Studies in urban design and development processes have generally identified single, overall governance approaches for development projects and have not effectively identified relationships with the built form. Recent work in the field of urban morphology has more effectively identified relationships between governance practices and the evolution of the built environment; however, these studies have tended to treat governance as a single process rather than a sequence of different governance approaches. Therefore, this study examined the redevelopment of the Wellington waterfront to look for and identify the different governance approaches that were used over the study period and how these influenced the resulting built form.  To address the question of what effect different governance approaches had on the built form, the history of the redevelopment was analyzed in depth. Through analysis of written records, semi-structured interviews with participants involved in a variety of redevelopment related roles, and site visits, it was possible to characterize different governance approaches within the overall project and how these have influenced the form of the built environment. Triangulation of the three methods was used to provide a richer description of the redevelopment and improve confidence in the findings.  Between 1974 and 2012, Wellington transitioned through seven separate governance approaches, each having some influence on the form of the redevelopment. Each governance approach was marked by different driving values and forms of stakeholder involvement that affected the redevelopment. For example, periods dominated by top-down or corporate approaches resulted in larger and more internally focused buildings and building sites than periods with more inclusive governance arrangements.   Characterizing the governance approaches and their effects on the built form provided a useful tool for evaluating and understanding the development process and the evolution of the built form of the Wellington waterfront. This level of understanding of the different governance approaches and their influence on the built form has not been previously described in the literature. While the findings cannot be assumed to be descriptive of other development projects, they do identify patterns that should be investigated in other development contexts. The approach and findings from this thesis therefore contribute to the literature on the relationship between the processes and products of urban design, and the social structures of development processes.</p>

scholarly journals Perspektywy renesansu publicznego stosowanej pedagogiki społecznej w postindustrialnej przestrzeni

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-51
Author(s):  
Andrzej Radziewicz-Winnicki
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Social Change ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Critical Approach ◽  
Social Pedagogy ◽  
The Social ◽  
Public Rehabilitation

The author takes up a critical approach to several concepts presented in the literature of social sci- ences, on so expected problems of public rehabilitation and revitalisation during the active enggement of such subdiscipline as modern social pedagogy. He analyses the local urban space, opposed to spontaneoulness chaos and anomia accured in public structures. The paper warns againt the relin- quishment in local communities of earlier order and the whole social network. It could becme in each posttransformated cociety during the social change. The aim of the paper was to mobilise on future a public support across education and prophylaxis to avoid a lot of individual and collective traumatic and neurostic feelings.

Sense of Community in New Urbanism Neighbourhoods: A Review

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 25-29
Author(s):  
Nastaran Pour Ebrahim
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Urban Design ◽  
Sense Of Community ◽  
Sense Of Belonging ◽  
Social Life ◽  
New Urbanism ◽  
Social Goal ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Academic Fields ◽  
The Social

The concept of community where people can meet their needs, interact, and feel a sense of belonging and togetherness has been an interesting topic for a majority of professionals in different academic fields such as urban planning and urban design. Different theories in these disciplines assert the correlation between the built environment and sense of community. Among these theories, New Urbanism is one of the most important schools of thought which have thrown light on this correlation. New Urbanism claims that the built environment can create a sense of community among its users. As the theory of New Urbanism develops more and more among professionals across the world, it is critical that we give the topic more research attention. This study intends to begin moving us in this direction by reviewing some studies which tried to achieve the social goal of new urbanism in recent years. Therefore the results of the empirical assessment of Sense of community in different neighbourhoods are reviewed and the influence of physical design on different domains of sense of community are discussed to find out whether the claims of new urbanism in creating sense of community could be trusted in the future development. While new urbanism movement continues to become more popular, finding enough evidence for its social claims might encourage more planners to use its principles as a way to improve the residents' social life

SUPER-VISION? Personal experiences of an accounting academic

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stewart Lawrence
Keyword(s):  
Social Science ◽  
Social Practice ◽  
Science Literature ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Personal Reflection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Reflection ◽  
Accounting Practice ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Science Literature

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to illustrate the social aspects of supervising students’ research of accounting practice. It attempts to demonstrate that accounting practice and accounting research share a common characteristic – they are both forms of social practice. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is written as a personal reflection and confession. It follows a tradition in the social science literature of academics engaging in auto-ethnographic self-reflection. It is presented as a series of dialogues between the academic and the students. Findings – The tensions between the experienced teacher and the students raise questions about the extent of involvement of the academic in the students’ work. Each project involves social interactions which affect the nature of the supervision required and provided. Positivistic approaches may give strict guidance in the form of accepted rules and conventions, but for social scientists who recognise that research, like practice, is socially constructed, outcomes are often uncertain. Research limitations/implications – It is a personal reflection on specific research projects, and so there are no conclusions about supervision in general. Practical implications – The intent is to capture the uncertain development and outcome of research projects. The uncertainty may be typical of supervisor/student experiences. Originality/value – Though examples of auto-ethnographic self-reflection may be found in the social science literature, there are few, if any, in the accounting literature.

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