Liquid Urbanisms: Dublin's Loose Networks and Provisional Places

My PhD thesis contributes to the disciplines of Geography and Urban Studies by adding the vocabulary, typology and conceptual framework of what I call ‘Liquid Urbanisms’ (LU). My LU typology invites scholars to investigate a range of provisional places and projects in their city initiatives, largely overlooked in the ‘temporary urbanisms’ literature, including autonomous social centres and direct-action occupations, and highlights the need to include these lesser-known projects in our understandings of how the neoliberal city is made and how groups, artists and activists contribute to the complex and fluid timespaces of the lived, rhythmic city and emphasises the nuanced everyday experiences of those creating more liveable spaces in post-austerity cities. It introduces an innovative methodological approach which I describe as a ‘Flexible Activist Case Study Approach’, which includes mixed qualitative methods across numerous case studies over a period of three years, to capture a range of case studies. The fourteen case studies I examined in the PhD varied, but I classified them into three broad types: Creative, Community-Based and Autonomous Liquid Urbanisms. These case studies include: a pop-up urban park, a squat, a networking group, community urban gardens, exhibitions, occupations, an art and cultural centre, projects in annual festivals, among others. I also identified four tributaries, or characteristics, which intersect and flow with the types of LU: networks and place, timespaces and rhythms, use value and urban commons, and political beliefs and institutional relationships. When combined, the LU types and tributaries form a typology and illustrate the ecology of provisional places in Dublin

Liquid Urbanisms: Dublin's Loose Networks and Provisional Places

My PhD thesis contributes to the disciplines of Geography and Urban Studies by adding the vocabulary, typology and conceptual framework of what I call ‘Liquid Urbanisms’ (LU). My LU typology invites scholars to investigate a range of provisional places and projects in their city initiatives, largely overlooked in the ‘temporary urbanisms’ literature, including autonomous social centres and direct-action occupations, and highlights the need to include these lesser-known projects in our understandings of how the neoliberal city is made and how groups, artists and activists contribute to the complex and fluid timespaces of the lived, rhythmic city and emphasises the nuanced everyday experiences of those creating more liveable spaces in post-austerity cities. It introduces an innovative methodological approach which I describe as a ‘Flexible Activist Case Study Approach’, which includes mixed qualitative methods across numerous case studies over a period of three years, to capture a range of case studies. The fourteen case studies I examined in the PhD varied, but I classified them into three broad types: Creative, Community-Based and Autonomous Liquid Urbanisms. These case studies include: a pop-up urban park, a squat, a networking group, community urban gardens, exhibitions, occupations, an art and cultural centre, projects in annual festivals, among others. I also identified four tributaries, or characteristics, which intersect and flow with the types of LU: networks and place, timespaces and rhythms, use value and urban commons, and political beliefs and institutional relationships. When combined, the LU types and tributaries form a typology and illustrate the ecology of provisional places in Dublin

Native food systems organizations: strengthening sovereignty and (re)building community

Though work in community food systems is increasing, and food seems to be on everyone's lips as a topic of conversation and debate, there is a significant lack of research on efforts in Native American communities in the United States to (re)construct their food systems in culturally appropriate ways. Linking literatures of food sovereignty, civic agriculture, and food systems planning, this research represents a first attempt to understand and learn from five Native Food Systems orgnanizations. Utilizing an open-ended interview format with key organizational leaders, the research offers a comparative analysis of their programs and initiatives. This research is intended to educate both Natives and non-Natives about Native food system (re)building, and also provides much-needed case studies for the community food system movement in general. Several recommendations are suggested to help existing and emergent Native Food Systems organizations. As this research is in its infancy, an extensive consideration on areas for future research is also offered.</p