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Analysing the relation between territorial fragilities and accessibility: a focus on individual dimension and needs
Get PDFThis paper aims at examining the relation between territorial fragilities, mobility and accessibility: mobility as social practice interlocked in time and space, and accessibility as the possibility of an individual to access at different out-of-home activities. The main purpose of this paper is to answer to the following questions: is it possible to establish a relation between the level of accessibility of a given territory and its territorial fragilities? As matter of fact, many research in last twenty years demonstrated the causality between low level of accessibility and mobility related social exclusion. In this paper I will show how an interpretation of accessibility, based on individual’s needs and opportunities, may help to establish a relation between low level of accessibility and territorial fragilities. Indeed, traditional accessibility approaches brought to a misrepresented narrative, that describes a high infra-structured territory also as a more accessible and stronger one. Thanks to a bibliographical review oriented toward redefining the concept of accessibility, this work will challenge this narrative. It will be proved that a more accurate definition of mobility and accessibility may demonstrate that remoteness can be, at the most, one among the many drivers that lead to territorial fragilities.publishedVersio
Rebuilding the planning system : The transition towards professional antagonism in the uphill battle of Madrid Nuevo Norte
Get PDFAbundant culture have been accumulated in the historical evolution of rural settlements in This paper takes as a case study Madrid Nuevo Norte (MNN), a redevelopment scheme launched in 1993 by the national railways in association with a private developer, and that remained inactive for many years, until an agreement with the local government was publicly disclosed in 2017. The agreement got wide political support from most of the city councillors, but faced sharp criticism from residents and some influential local planners. These planners pointed out that the agreement would do little to address the residents’ concerns about the massive construction of office space and its associated risks for gentrification and displacement, and would further accelerate the spatial and social segregation between the north and the south of the city. They called for strengthening the much weakened legal planning framework in Madrid, and for making better use of technical expertise in the decision-making process. The approach of these planners is to empower the public to participate at the public debate through the provision of factual evidence and legal advice. These planners do not seek centrality or hegemony in public deliberation. In this sense, they would exemplify a particular neopragmatic turn in planning
Unintended outcomes of the marketized housing agenda in Sweden: - the trolls that never were invited who we now have to deal with
Get PDFThis paper discusses how the housing agenda in Sweden has been handed over to the municipalities, under the EU instructions. The marketized housing sector has resulted in unexpected local outcomes, or trolls, as for example private slumlords, exploiting their properties to a maximum but with no local responsibility to the tenants. Also, a black market of temporary housing -or beds- is found, which often target vulnerable immigrants. Thirdly, private-public partnerships has emerged, often termed business improvement districts (BIDs), who collaborate locally in order to serve long time interests for the property owners, the tenants, the local business-owners and the wider community. In sum, the neo-liberal agenda is found to strengthen the local communities and partnerships, but the tools to deal with the anomalies still lies at the central state. The neo-liberal agenda needs to be anchored by place and local actors in institutional long-term relations in defined places. Results imply that the planning processes need to address this new landscape of actors, and processes.publishedVersio
From macro-level policies to microlevel practices: Changing global economic landscapes and the proliferation of middle-class gated communities in Mexico
Get PDFTransactions of the Association of European Schools of Planning; Volume 3 / Issue 2 / December 2019; page 141-154In recent decades, gated communities for affluent groups have gained academic attention worldwide. However, in nations with large inequalities such as Mexico, which are also affected by issues of insecurity, corruption, and violence, these enclaves have become more common for middle-income groups. Their existence is usually associated with the search for prestige and exclusivity, along with fear of crime and violence. However, this article focuses on other structural conditions that contribute to the proliferation of these fortified spaces, such as the connections between global economic forces and the changes in national planning, financial, and housing policies since the 1990s. Since then, Mexican peripheries have become more fragmented and disconnected and gated communities have proliferated. This discussion takes place in a context of global polarisation, both in the Global North and South, in which planners have been urged to respond to issues of growing fear, inequality, and violence. This article addresses the contradictions of polarisation, because some Mexicans are defending the right to build walls to protect from insecurity, while there is also social condemnation of the proposed wall by President Trump. The discussion about macro-economic policies in the development of middle-class gated communities in Mexico is helpful in identifying the future risks and challenges that may come from the normalisation of exclusionary places
Circular economy in urban projects: a case studies analysis of current practices and tools
No full textOver the last decade, the concept of circular economy has gained momentum among practitioners, politicians and scholars thanks to its promise of achieving sustainability goals. However, there remains a need to demonstrate and assess its positive environmental impacts. With respect to the building sector, circular economy is still a relatively new topic. To date, research has tended to focus primarily on the macro-scale (cities or eco-parks) and micro-scale (manufactured products or construction materials). Nevertheless, the often-neglected built environment is also expected to play a crucial role due to its high contribution to various environmental impacts. Accordingly, this paper aims to contribute to this growing area of research by reviewing four case studies of ‘circular neighbourhood’ projects in Europe. First, a conceptual framework analysis is defined and applied to the cases. Second, circular economy initiatives and actions are identified and classified using interviews and document analysis. Third, the use of assessment tools within these circular economy projects is investigated. The results demonstrate a diverse representation of the circular economy paradigm and a growing role played by the assessment tools.publishedVersio
The system of socio-spatial diversity monitoring in the city of Gdansk, Poland
No full textThis paper presents methods for the system of socio-spatial diversity monitoring in cities on the example of the a monitoring system for degraded and regenerated areas in the city of Gdansk. The main focus is on the use of spatial databases for the monitoring system and the possibilities of using its results for further work - especially spatial planning or scientific purposes. In the beginning, the author will discuss the conditions for the implementation of monitoring in Polish cities - the legal basis, data availability and institutional support for the spatial monitoring processes. Next, data sources and methods of the implementation of monitoring will be discussed, along with an indication of the most difficult obstacles and ways to overcome them. The next part will present the chances of using monitoring data both for the needs of spatial planning and for scientific purposes, for example in the characteristics of Gdansk residential areas and assessment of their level of social capital. The study aims to lead to a discussion on the willingness of municipal units to conduct effective spatial monitoring and the use of its results for real changes in the urban space
Reconstructing public history through European settler and Indigenous heritage and landscape
No full textCity planners and civic officials are delving into the implementation of actions for truth and reconciliation following the 2015 report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Dolores Hayden reminds us that when read as stories of our city-region’s public memory, the landscape, with built, natural, cultural, and spiritual dimensions, can tie our individual identities into something larger, a community that has a powerful sense of place. This paper draws on archival research and site visits to understand the built, natural, and cultural heritage on an 11-hectare site in the city of Saskatoon, Canada, that was part of the Plains First Nations territory for thousands of years, followed by the Métis nation, European settler homesteads, later as a leisure space for urbanites in a growing city, then as a retreat for Catholic religious orders of Sisters. For the past 12 years, it has remained closed to the public, fenced off and awaiting re-imagination and re-use by a local conservation organization, the Meewasin Valley Authority. This paper concludes with recommendations on how to use the thousands of years, eras, and worldviews behind the heritage of the site to create a powerful place for urban truth and reconciliation
Exploring port-city relationships through event-led urban regeneration
Get PDFPolicy makers in European port cities have been keen on bidding for mega events (MEs) in the last thirty years, as a means to boost or sustain processes of urban regeneration and development. Despite MEs are an increasingly regular feature of urban and cultural policies in these cities, little effort has been put in exploring the outcomes of event-led urban regeneration on the conflicting and deterritorialised liminal space that is the port-city interface. This paper presents some of the findings of a PhD research about the spatial and socio-cultural relationships between ports and cities and the impact of event-led urban regeneration on these links. The experiences of Rotterdam (EURO 2000; European Capital of Culture 2001), Genoa (1992 Specialist Expo, European Capital of Culture 2004), Valencia (America’s Cup 2007 and 2010; Formula One European Grand Prix 2008-2012) are put in conversation in relation to the recent case of Kingston upon Hull (UK City of Culture 2017). The analysis of these experiences helps to problematise a range of issues including the ‘cultural’ role of port authorities, the spatiality of event-led regeneration at the port-city interface and issues of authenticity and cultural demaritimisation.publishedVersio
Recent developments in Cultural planning as an approach to build creative cities
No full textThis study is basically a review of works of cultural planning across the world and particularly relating it to the urban planning, and other disciplines related to urban planning. This paper discusses about the different definitions and dimensions of culture in the urban planning practices. From the definition of culture to inclusion of culture in urban planning which involves a multipronged approach. It has looked into this through published works and best practices followed in different parts of the world. Culture of place is understood through cultural assets which are classified into tangible and intangible. Implication of classification of these assets is looked upon through the lens of urban planning policies and different development sectors related to the planning and management of cities. Some of the examples from Europe, Canada, and USA and Asia are taken into consideration. At the end observations are analysed for the suitability of the cultural planning theory for adoption in urban Indian context and future possibilities.publishedVersio
Jacques Lacan - Introducing thinkers for planners: a narrative and conversation
No full textBookletJacques Lacan (1901 –1981) was one of the most influential intellectuals in French cultural life during the 1960s and 1970s. As a renowned philosopher and a controversial psychoanalyst, his yearly seminars in Paris (1953-1980) and concomitant writings (the series of Écrits) further explored Freudian theory based on the study of language and established his celebrity status in France and beyond. In connection with a broad range of other disciplines, his ideas have immensely benefitted critical theory, linguistics, French philosophy, feminist theory, sociology, literary theory and film theory. For urban planning, Lacanian theories enlighten the studies on the unconscious and irrational dimension of theory and practice, which is so often neglected in planning research