The magic of the market place: Sociality in a neglected public space

This study explores the potentiality of markets as public space where multiple forms of sociality are enacted. Research was conducted in eight UK markets. The research revealed that markets represented a significant public and social space for different groups in the locality as a site for vibrant social encounters, for social inclusion and the care of others, for `rubbing along' and for mediating differences. The article concludes by arguing that the social encounters and connections found in markets contradict pessimistic accounts of the decline of social association, offering a contrast to the shopping mall and providing the possibility for the inclusion of marginalised groups and for the co-mingling of differences where these are increasingly relegated to more private sphere

The Licensing Act 2003 and the Problematization of the Night-time Economy: Planning, Licensing and Subcultural Closure in the UK

Nightlife historically has been viewed as a social problem to be contained by licensing, policing and the management of supply. In the context of recent trends towards deregulation of hours and supply, fears have again resurfaced as to the detrimental impact of the 'night-time economy' on street disorder and violence, concerns that have focused attention on the Licensing Act 2003. Utilizing a case study of the regulation of nightlife in the London locality of Southview, this article will explore how there has been ongoing and renewed attention on the problems associated with the night-time economy centred on differentiating between risky and safe cultural and economic forms. The article will argue that the Licensing Act represents a consolidation of over a decade of regulatory change that has 'reordered' regulatory approaches to nightlife; one that has, in combination with other aspects of economic, social and cultural change, been productive of 'subcultural closure'. Copyright (c) 2006 The Authors. Journal Compilation (c) 2006 Joint Editors and Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Alternative Energy Sources and Energy Justice:Nuclear, Hydro and Wind

The imperative of climate change is driving significant investment in low-carbon technologies. Justice scholars need to be cognisant of emerging injustices that are inherent to alternative low-carbon energy sources. This chapter assesses the main justice implications for the three energy sources: nuclear, hydro and wind. It spans the range of low-carbon technologies from the leading large-scale options in the form of nuclear and hydro as well as the more modern micro-solutions in wind energy. It includes an examination of resource availability including production and security concerns, accessibility in relation to consumption patterns and trade flows as well as broader sustainability questions. The energy justice framework is then applied to each low-carbon source in a similar manner to the previous chapte