Communicative Constructions and the Refiguration of Spaces

The Open Access version of this book, available at www.taylorfrancis.com , has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license Through a variety of empirical studies, this volume offers fresh insights into the manner in which different forms of communicative action transform urban space. With attention to the methodological questions that arise from the attempt to study such changes empirically, it offers new theoretical foundations for understanding the social construction and reconstruction of spaces through communicative action. Seeing communicative action as the basic element in the social construction of reality and conceptualizing communication not only in terms of the use of language and texts, but as involving any kind of objectification, such as technologies, bodies and non-verbal signs, it considers the roles of both direct and mediatized (or digitized) communication. An examination of the conceptualization of the communicative (re-)construction of spaces and the means by which this change might be empirically investigated, this book demonstrates the fruitfulness of the notion of refiguration as a means by which to understand the transformation of contemporary societies. As such, it will appeal to sociologists, social theorists, and geographers with interests in social construction and urban space

Communicative Constructions and the Refiguration of Spaces

The Open Access version of this book, available at www.taylorfrancis.com , has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license Through a variety of empirical studies, this volume offers fresh insights into the manner in which different forms of communicative action transform urban space. With attention to the methodological questions that arise from the attempt to study such changes empirically, it offers new theoretical foundations for understanding the social construction and reconstruction of spaces through communicative action. Seeing communicative action as the basic element in the social construction of reality and conceptualizing communication not only in terms of the use of language and texts, but as involving any kind of objectification, such as technologies, bodies and non-verbal signs, it considers the roles of both direct and mediatized (or digitized) communication. An examination of the conceptualization of the communicative (re-)construction of spaces and the means by which this change might be empirically investigated, this book demonstrates the fruitfulness of the notion of refiguration as a means by which to understand the transformation of contemporary societies. As such, it will appeal to sociologists, social theorists, and geographers with interests in social construction and urban space

Data and the city – accessibility and openness. a cybersalon paper on open data

This paper showcases examples of bottom–up open data and smart city applications and identifies lessons for future such efforts. Examples include Changify, a neighbourhood-based platform for residents, businesses, and companies; Open Sensors, which provides APIs to help businesses, startups, and individuals develop applications for the Internet of Things; and Cybersalon’s Hackney Treasures. a location-based mobile app that uses Wikipedia entries geolocated in Hackney borough to map notable local residents. Other experiments with sensors and open data by Cybersalon members include Ilze Black and Nanda Khaorapapong's The Breather, a "breathing" balloon that uses high-end, sophisticated sensors to make air quality visible; and James Moulding's AirPublic, which measures pollution levels. Based on Cybersalon's experience to date, getting data to the people is difficult, circuitous, and slow, requiring an intricate process of leadership, public relations, and perseverance. Although there are myriad tools and initiatives, there is no one solution for the actual transfer of that data

Mobile nodes: mobile and locative media, everyday life and sense of place

This thesis presents an analysis of the relationship that exists between the use of place-specific information in mobile communication technologies and the different aspects of place-making and self-presentation in London. Through a study of empirical data collected from seven focus groups, during which a total of 38 participants were asked to draw sketch maps of London to shed light on social and spatial interactions in the urban space related to the proliferation of mobile communication technologies and their location-aware features. To this end, the development of locative media within specific types of location-aware mobile devices and services is shown to be intimately interrelated with different aspects of place-making and self-presentation in London. This thesis demonstrates that mobile and locative media serves as a platform through which the user can communicate different aspects of themselves and their relationship with specific places, while also constructing a sense of those places by sharing individual narratives of their everyday lives. Highlighting the significance of sharing and retrieving locational information through mobile and locative media, this study not only analyses the use of mobile and locative media in everyday life, but reflects also on how the perception of places is transformed as a result of social and spatial interactions, and the practices of sharing and remembering, as well as navigating. Employing a holistic approach in the framing and research of locative media, and introducing sketch-mapping as a creative methodology in the form of focus groups for a research into communication and media, this thesis makes an original contribution to existing literature, especially in the field of mobile and locative media

Association of Architecture Schools in Australasia

"Techniques and Technologies: Transfer and Transformation", proceedings of the 2007 AASA Conference held September 27-29, 2007, at the School of Architecture, UTS

Promoting sustainable urban regeneration in the Palestinian traditional quarters – case study of Birzeit

The historical environment has always been a challenging problem in many countries. A growing number of regeneration initiatives have been planned with the concept and principles of sustainability in mind. Most of the proposals initiated have only focused on deprived historical Palestinian cities, ignoring small traditional quarters in rural towns and villages also suffering from decay. Recently, a new development has favored shifting the focus from regeneration of individual buildings to entire traditional quarters. Consequently, a pioneer project in Birzeit has raised the question of how far this recent initiative has introduced sustainable urban regeneration in the traditional quarter through providing sustainable responses to the historical environment, social and economic aspects as well as the community’s needs. This research is dominated by a qualitative approach and exploratory nature and also incorporates the quantitative method. It has employed an in-depth case study methodology. The empirical research involved using several mixed data gathering methods: interviews, mental mapping, structural observations and questionnaires. This research uses the theory of urban regeneration and also addresses other concepts. It has concentrated on identification and assessment of the planning process, the impacts of the regeneration initiative, the roles of different actors involved and their interests within the economic, social and cultural contexts in order to present theoretical issues involving sustainable urban regeneration. The main findings of the research revealed that adoption of decentralization in the planning approach as well as community participation are intrinsic and vital to the initiation of the regeneration process with positive and minute negative impacts. It revealed that the very notion of urban regeneration is not about roads, buildings and infrastructure, but it is about providing job opportunities, investment, social equity and a better quality of life. The existence and support of local community organizations, the presence of appropriate partnership of stakeholders and their commitment as well as the development of a sustainable community are all crucial to initiate sustainable regeneration processes in the long term. Nonetheless, another key revelation has emerged relating to the difficulties of integration of some uses into the community as they are out of the context and contradicts social values and the life style of the inhabitants of the traditional quarter. The research suggests the presence of positive impacts and outcomes from the various planning interventions to initiate of sustainable urban regeneration in the traditional quarter. Consequently, it concludes with recommendations relating to policies and practices. It recommends that a balanced partnership level between the actors and appropriate management of the local authority should be established by developing the planning, administrative and technical capacity. Further, the level of community participation and awareness should be emphasized and supported in addition to building their capacity and increasing their engagement in the planning process to establish a sustainable community that is self-confident and capable of making decisions for the future development of the quarter. This would give more power, effectiveness and independence to the community to sustain their traditional quarter