The relational geographies of the voluntary sector: Disentangling the ballast of strangers

We propose that voluntary sector geographies are best understood using a systematic relational approach, drawing upon neo-Marxist and symbiotic perspectives. We focus on relations between the voluntary sector and the (shadow) state, internal spaces of client interaction, and external urban spaces. Our relational approach advances alternative understandings of the voluntary sector: ones that are partly but not fully in the orbit of the shadow state; more mediator than conduit for neoliberal policies; partly punitive, yet firmly in relation with other ambivalent measures for clients; and both spatially uneven and fixed, but always unbounded in its practices.

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Book reviews : Wolch, J. 1990: The shadow state: government and voluntary sector in transition. New York: The Foundation Center. xx + 290 pp. US $24.95 paper. ISBN: 0 87954 331 0

Progress in Human Geography ◽

10.1177/030913259201600457 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 662-663

Author(s):

J.F. Mohan

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

State Government ◽

Voluntary Sector ◽

Shadow State

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An Ethnographic Study of Edmonton Food Trucks

Spectrum ◽

10.29173/spectrum75 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Selina Ertman

Keyword(s):

Case Studies ◽

Participant Observation ◽

Ethnographic Study ◽

Urban Spaces ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

High Quality ◽

Transnational Identities ◽

Food Trucks ◽

Relational Approach ◽

Ethnographic Methodology

This article develops an anthropological understanding of the intersection between food and culture in Edmonton’s food truck industry. More specifically, I explore how Edmonton food trucks are able to connect local and global cuisines and cultures through the menu items they offer and images they present to customers, which are predominantly influenced by local, ethnic, authentic and fusion creations. I gained data for this study by employing an ethnographic methodology and relational approach, which involved conducting semi-structured interviews with Edmonton food truck vendors and customers, and engaging in participant observation from May through August of 2019. The following food trucks serve as case studies in my research: Explore India, Dosi Rock, Dedo’s Food Truck and Catering, Meat Street Pies and The Dog. My findings reveal how advertising themes common to Edmonton food trucks, which include notions of authenticity, traditionalism and high quality ingredients, contribute to the construction of a cultural “Other” for customer consumption. In addition, my findings reveal how Edmonton food truck vendors are inspired to develop menus and dishes rooted in and inspirited by their cultural heritages, transnational identities, world travels and movement across ethnoscapes. In conclusion, I argue that the globally inspired ethnocultural cuisines offered by Edmonton food truck vendors are “localized” in a variety of meaningful ways. This study contributes to an underrepresented literature on street food vending in Edmonton by analyzing how food truck move through, occupy, and create urban spaces in meaningful ways.

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Everyday austerity: Towards relational geographies of family, friendship and intimacy

Progress in Human Geography ◽

10.1177/0309132518796280 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 43 (5) ◽

pp. 769-789 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Sarah Marie Hall

Keyword(s):

Financial Crisis ◽

Everyday Life ◽

Lived Experience ◽

Urban Governance ◽

Economic Systems ◽

Relational Approach ◽

Care And Support ◽

Intimate Relations ◽

Recent Financial Crisis ◽

Relational Geographies

This paper advances ideas about relational geographies to explore ‘everyday austerity’. Whilst geographers have analysed the causes and aftermath of the recent financial crisis, the focus largely remains on problems within economic systems and urban governance, rather than austerity as lived experience. I outline how focusing on everyday relationships and relational spaces – family, friendship and intimate relations – provides exciting opportunities for thinking geographically about everyday life in austerity. Using examples of care and support and mundane mobilities, I demonstrate how a relational approach extends current understandings of how austerity cuts through, across and between spaces.

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The Privatization of Public Streets and Urban Spaces in Malaysia

Open House International ◽

10.1108/ohi-03-2018-b0013 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 43 (3) ◽

pp. 110-116

Author(s):

Peter Aning Tedong ◽

Wan Nor Azriyati ◽

Wan Abd Aziz ◽

Noor Rosly Hanif

Keyword(s):

Empirical Evidence ◽

Developing Country ◽

Urban Governance ◽

Urban Spaces ◽

Residential Areas ◽

Open Spaces ◽

Emerging Trends ◽

Klang Valley ◽

Neoliberal Policies ◽

Governance Processes

In the last two decades, Malaysia has embedded good neighborhood principles in its planning plans that promote diversity and accessibility in urban residential areas. However, the emerging trends of the privatization of public streets and open spaces in urban residential areas in Malaysia offer the opportunity to study complex urban governance processes in a democratic and developing country. Using empirical evidence, this article recounts the fascinating saga of how various actors – urban planners, resident associations, residents of open neighborhoods and residents of guarded neighborhoods – responded to the privatization of public streets and open spaces in Malaysia. While planners described Greater Klang Valley as a diverse city in Malaysia, they sometimes tolerated the privatization of public streets and open spaces through neoliberal policies.

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