145 research outputs found
Ethnographic understandings of ethnically diverse neighbourhoods to inform urban design practice
The aim of this paper is to inform urban design practice through deeper
understanding and analysis of the social dynamics of public outdoor
space in ethnically diverse neighbourhoods. We hypothesise that
findings from ethnographic research can provide a resource that
improves cultural literacy and supports social justice in professional
practice. The primary method is a meta-synthesis literature review of 24
ethnographic research papers, all of which explore some dimensions of
public open space use and values in UK urban contexts characterised by
ethnic and racial diversity. We summarise thematic understandings and
significance of neighbourhood places of shared activity, parks, spaces of
passing-by and of retreat. We evaluate the implications for intercultural
social dynamics, exploring the spatial and temporal dimensions of
conviviality and racism in public open space. We then argue that it is
possible to develop principles for urban design practice informed by this
work, and propose four for discussion: maximising straightforward
participation, legitimising diversity of activity, designing in micro-retreats
of nearby quietness and addressing structural inequalities of open space
provision. We conclude that ethnographic research can provide detailed
insights into the use of the public realm and also inform a more nuanced
understanding of outdoor sociality relevant for an increasingly diverse
society. The challenge is two-fold: for ethnographers to become less
cautious in engaging with decisions and priorities regarding how cities
change, and for urban designers to explicitly embed informed
understandings of difference into their broad desire for inclusive public space
Mechanochemical basis of protein degradation by a double-ring AAA+ machine
Molecular machines containing double or single AAA+ rings power energy-dependent protein degradation and other critical cellular processes, including disaggregation and remodeling of macromolecular complexes. How the mechanical activities of double-ring and single-ring AAA+ enzymes differ is unknown. Using single-molecule optical trapping, we determine how the double-ring âClpA enzyme from Escherichia coli, in complex with the âClpP peptidase, mechanically degrades proteins. We demonstrate that âClpA unfolds some protein substrates substantially faster than does the single-ring âClpX enzyme, which also degrades substrates in collaboration with âClpP. We find that âClpA is a slower polypeptide translocase and that it moves in physical steps that are smaller and more regular than steps taken by âClpX. These direct measurements of protein unfolding and translocation define the core mechanochemical behavior of a double-ring AAA+ machine and provide insight into the degradation of proteins that unfold via metastable intermediates.Howard Hughes Medical InstituteNational Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant AI-16892
Cold comfort? Reconceiving the practices of bathing in British self-build eco-homes
Living sustainably involves a broad spectrum of practices, from relying on a technological fix to a deep green vision. The latter is often articulated by advocates and critics alike as involving shifting to a simpler lifestyle that dispenses with some of the (perceived) frivolous or environmentally damaging attachments to luxury or convenience. This article explores practices of reconceiving comfort in the context of the social and material architectures of eco-housing. Comfort is defined as an ongoing process, a negotiation between different elements (e.g., climate, materials and bodies) in a particular place. This article uses three case studies of self-built eco-communities in Britain (Green Hills, Landmatters, and Tinkers Bubble) and analyzes their bathrooms and bathing practices. In the eco-communities' bathing practices, comfort was reconceived as not being reliant on particular facilities, furniture, or temperature, as not private but as collective and shared, and as an embodied relation. This article demonstrates the relationality of comfort, how it is therefore possible to reconceive comfort, and how comfort can be understood as a practice. This focus on practices also challenges social practice theories to more purposefully engage with those already living a highly ecological lifestyle to understand how radical change is navigated
Contesting longstanding conceptualisations of urban green space
Ever since the Victorian era saw the creation of âparks for the people,â health and wellbeing benefits have been considered a primary benefit of urban parks and green spaces. Today, public health remains a policy priority, with illnesses and conditions such as diabetes, obesity and depression a mounting concern, notably in increasingly urbanised environments. Urban green space often is portrayed as a nature-based solution for addressing such health concerns. In this chapter, Meredith Whitten investigates how the health and wellbeing benefits these spaces provide are limited by a narrow perspective of urban green space. Whitten explores how our understandings of urban green space remain rooted in Victorian ideals and calls into question how fit for purpose they are in twenty-first-century cities. Calling on empirical evidence collected in three boroughs in London with changing and increasing demographic populations, she challenges the long-held cultural underpinnings that lead to urban green space being portrayed âas a panacea to urban problems, yet treating it as a âcosmetic afterthoughtââ (Whitten, M, Reconceptualising green space: planning for urban green space in the contemporary city. Doctoral thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, U.K. http://etheses.lse.ac.uk/. Accessed 12 Jun 2019, 2019b, p 18)
âGod is Hidden in the Earthly Kingdom:â The Lutheran Two-Kingdoms Theory as Foundation of Scandavanian Secularity
Martin Lutherâs signature âtwo kingdomsâ teaching of the sixteenth century was an early and innovative theory of secularization that lies at the heart of historical Scandinavian culture. Defying the organic medieval models of Western Christendom, Luther separated the heavenly and earthly kingdoms, the saint and the sinner, faith and reason, church and the state, Gospel and the Law, as well as the spiritual and secular uses of law, government and authority. Though God is separated from day-to-day life, Luther wrote, God is still hidden in the earthly kingdomâ and can be seen through various âmasks,â âmists,â and âmimes.â Though the visible church is separated from the state and other institutions, religion remains pervasive in the common callings of every person to be Godâs prophet, priest and king in every vocation and location of life. Lutherâs two kingdoms theory is a complicated and controversial part of this thinking, but it is worth re-exploring today as pluralistic Scandinavia faces strong new pressures of both sacralization and secularization and seeks to discern anew âthe hidden sacraliity of the secular.
Experimental measurement of specific impulse distribution and transient deformation of plates subjected to near-field explosive blasts
The shock wave generated from a high explosive detonation can cause significant damage to any objects that it encounters, particularly those objects located close to the source of the explosion. Understanding blast wave development and accurately quantifying its effect on structural systems remains a considerable challenge to the scientific community. This paper presents a comprehensive experimental study into the loading acting on, and subsequent deformation of, targets subjected to near-field explosive detonations. Two experimental test series were conducted at the University of Sheffield (UoS), UK, and the University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa, where blast load distributions using Hopkinson pressure bars and dynamic target deflections using digital image correlation were measured respectively. It is shown through conservation of momentum and Hopkinson-Cranz scaling that initial plate velocity profiles are directly proportional to the imparted impulse distribution, and that spatial variations in loading as a result of surface instabilities in the expanding detonation product cloud are significant enough to influence the transient displacement profile of a blast loaded plate
BIMBYâs first steps: a pilot study on the contribution of residential front-yards in Phoenix and Maastricht to biodiversity, ecosystem services and urban sustainability
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