8 research outputs found
Retracing trajectories: the embodied experience of cycling, urban sensescapes and the commute between âneighbourhoodâ and âcityâ in Utrecht, NL
This paper looks into the experience of âpassing through different territories of the cityâ (Sennett, 2006, p. 3). Despite their importance for making sense of the city as a whole, these experiences are often not acknowledged in urban planning. This paper compares the everyday, embodied experiences of commuter cyclists with the plannersâ perspective on Utrecht. âOn the groundâ data was collected via ride-alongs with 15 inhabitants of the Leidsche Rijn neighbourhood. Our analysis reveals cycling trajectories composed of diverse sensescapes. It paints a much more complex picture of intra-urban divisions and connections than the plannersâ perspective of the ânewâ Leidsche Rijn neighbourhood separated from the âoldâ city by major infrastructure lines
Out of Place? The Effects of Demolition on Youthsâ Social Contacts and Leisure ActivitiesâA Case Study in Utrecht, the Netherlands
Most Dutch cities have adopted urban restructuring policies aimed at creating a socially mixed population in deprived neighbourhoods. This entails the demolition of low-cost, social rented housing units, which leads to the displacement of their residents. While researchers have investigated the social effects of displacement on adults, this study is the first to provide insight into the effects on youths. The findings indicate that, although the first months after displacement youths lose some social contacts and stop participating in certain leisure activities, they show high levels of flexibility and soon make new friends and take up leisure activities in their new neighbourhood. No differences were found in friendships and leisure activities between displaced youths and those in a control group of non-displaced youths as reported at the time of the study. This confirms that in the long term the effects of displacement are limited