Urban Sociology

@ The University of Kent

[elliewagland]

Most parts of cities can be seen as landscapes of fear for men, but mainly women. A ten minute walk home from the University of Kent after dark sees many landscapes of fear for women; a walk across a darkened field and multiple streets with limited street lighting (see picture). 

[elliewagland]

The square in the top photo, despite looking like a public space, is part of a shopping centre complex in Paris. Not only is it patrolled by security but it is also gated which further segregates the wider community. The complexities surrounding its private/public nature means that what looks like a space which should be used to meet, gather and possibly used to regain the city, is in fact regulated by the shopping centre. These regulations mean the only people using the square are either passing through to get to and from the shops or using the restaurants. It is not therefore a public square but a commercial one. The people who are welcome to use the space are only those with money.

In the second picture is Disneyland Paris located nearby. Possibly the most capitalist 19km2 in Europe, it is made to resemble public streets and spaces!

[elliewagland]

This shop is situated in Glodwick, Oldham. Renowned for its racial tensions, Oldham has a history of racial segregation. Since the arrival of ethnic minorities to the town, a number of 'white' and 'Asian' estates have become the norm. The cheap housing that originally attracted migrants from South Asia and the availability of jobs which the migrants could take up, led to further immigration. As this expanded more immigrates began residing in these cheap houses and as an unfortunate consequence many local citizens moved out. Following the race riots of 2001, the BNP leader Nick Griffin labelled such estates 'no-go areas' for white people. While this view attracts some far right supporters in England, the reality for many locals is different. These estates are not exclusive race areas, it is possible to travel through them without fear and the local council is investing a lot of effort into assimilating all of Oldham's population (such as building new schools on estate boundaries to attract locals from all religions).  

Divisions in Oldham therefore seem to be a mixture of economic factors, but also partly to do with a culture of fear fed by far-right groups such as the BNP and EDL. 

This shop is also an example of how cultural differences are made visible in urban space. Unlike many 'typical' British shops, it displays many of its goods on the street. It uses the public space in a different way. 

[elliewagland]

The top photo was taken in Le Marais, Paris. This district around Rue de Rosiers is famous for being a major centre for Paris' Jewish community. 

The surrounding streets are filled with food outlets and restaurants, clothes and Jewish book shops and posters advertising Jewish events. The visitor is immediately aware of the area's religious and cultural heritage, however after looking at the area through a sociological lens the authenticity of the area becomes complex. In one sense it can be seen as authentic; many of the shops seem to be designed for Jewish people, for instance the selling of Kosher food. Furthermore, the migration of Jewish people to the area has been ongoing since the 19th century - it is not just a recent phenomenon. However, recent years have seen an increase in tourism to the area and with this it could be argued the area's authenticity has been diluted, as it has moved towards attracting tourists. Indeed, it could be argued that the must-see destination in Le Marais is now no longer the Agoudas Hakehilos Synagogue, but one of the many famous falafel shops which can be found by looking for masses of people queuing. 

[elliewagland]

Writers Can Get Free Houses In Detroit

Think of it as a writers-in-residence program ... one that never has to end. A new Detroit nonprofit called Write A House has figured out something to do with Detroit's thousands and thousands of vacant and blighted homes -- fix them up and give them to writers.

Detroit could possibly be the only city where the pro's of gentrification may outweigh the con's! With such high numbers of derelict houses, it will take gentrification a very long time to go full circle and force the original inhabitants out. Indeed, in its current state it is hard to imagine that could ever happen. 

[elliewagland]

Indicates that planning today is often about profit rather than the social needs of a community.

[elliewagland]

I think Hull’s Hessle Road community is a good example that cities do not necessarily destroy gemeinschaft. This community set up around the now non-existent trawling industry in Hull held on to many features of gemeinschaft. For example, great importance was put on loyalty as men would be away at sea for three weeks (then 3 days off), the women would help each other out and have very strong bonds with others in the community. Furthermore, there were many traditions and superstitions in the area – it was a sign of bad luck to hang out the washing on sailing day as this meant you were “washing away your man”. Although Hull’s trawling industry saw its final collapse in the early 80s and the subsequent demolition and dispersal of the area to estates on the outskirts, a community still exists (although it could arguably be seen as artificial in its physical existence as it is now less based on place but common bonds and kinships). Each year those associated with the community meet on Hessle Road to celebrate its heritage and participate in a ‘Pram Race’ (an acknowledgement to the past when the women would run down to the docks with their prams to pick up the wages of their partners still at sea!). I think this example of Hessle Road in Hull is a good case for arguing that contrary to many theorists beliefs, ‘urban’ is not damaging to culture. Indeed, I believe Hessle Road can be used to argue that organised, traditional relations and culture are not only existent in cities but can be stronger than in rural areas! Despite having the industry that bonded the community in the first place collapse, and many people being dispersed to other areas in the city, the Hessle Road community is still alive.

[elliewagland]

The Printworks, Manchester.

The former newspaper publishing building is now an ‘entertainment’ venue. There are many restaurants, bars, a cinema and gym among other things. It has attempted to keep lots of its original features and industrial heritage. It is an interesting venue as by walking through it is quite difficult to sense if it is a public or private space.

[elliewagland]

The Arctic Corsair, Hull.

Once a trawler in Hull’s fishing industry out at work for 3 weeks at a time, the Arctic Corsair is now a tourist attraction open 16 hours a week.

[elliewagland]

This former Post Office is now a shop in Shaw, Oldham.