ManchunianFieldTripNotes2013

[manchunianfieldtripnotes2013]

Great to be back at Band on the Wall for my first gig there since August. Lots of regular & new faces & a great atmosphere as always! To download this mix (for a limited time only) go to http://download.mrscruff.com/code/Fvs4xU Upcoming gigs in Manchester, Cardiff, Bristol, London, Leeds, York, Newcastle, Berlin, Hamburg, Lyons, Paris, Dublin, Limerick & Cork: For a full list of these gigs, go to http://mrscruff.com/gigs/

[publicdesignfestival]

[manchunianfieldtripnotes2013]

publicdesignfestival:

Since 2008 public spaces have become again symbolic catalyst for changes, raising social, political, economical issues and gathering people of different nationalities, ages, cultures, lifestyles and religion. Planning the Project is a research of the Lisbon Architecture Biennale that has engaged 12 architectural offices with the task of investigating the role of architecture in shaping, defining, or limiting the flow of protest within the urban pattern of their own cities. The project takes shape of a publication and an exhibition running until December 15 in Lisbon (Portugal).

[theironhorseproject-blog]

'Wasting My Young Years' - Writing my 2nd Masters thesis, this time in the subject that I want to spend the rest of my life learning (Urban planning and Urban life)

[manchunianfieldtripnotes2013]

Character Mapping : Boxton Field-Trip Exercise

The method and the range of techniques and categories used in this assignment, where done to describe a geographically defined area - used for capturing an area's defining character, which was our task in a small area of Boxton. In our approach to character map Boxton, our aims have been partly to arrive at a thorough, systematic description of the physical environment that defines a small part of the city. We chose to focus on the area from Brad Walk road in the city centre, to Boxton Pavillion Gardens to the west - to St. James Street and Dale Road to the south -  Clifton Road and the railroad crossing in the  eastward  direction- and Hall Bank Road and Hardwick Square south Road to the north .

- The goal was to use our methodology to do a mapping of the area's internal physical values, with an eye for a potential end-use value for real estate agents in Boxton . Character Mapping acts as a schematic representation of the " interplay between the natural, the cultural-geographic patterns and spatial , visual conditions " (Guidance on the landscape in Dansih municipal planning p. 12) , in the urban space . The method is intended for mapping qualities of the Danish landscape but is used here in a smaller scale in the sub-areas in Boxton . This is done in the form of deliberation of various architectural styles, as reflected in the different periods the city was built in and expanded through. It is therefore the visual spatial relationship that can best be operationalized in this context. In our use of Character mapping there is therefore a main focus on the essential character elements in the spaces that can be said to define this, used to give a statement about the area's primary function. We are aware that the nature of the survey does not capture the temporal dimension of the physical environment, which deals with rhythms and uses of space at different times of the day , but only the space's intended function and permanent physical characteristics. Therefore we have during our visit to Boxton spent a lot of time to calibrate our internal understandings of what is recorded and what gives character (in a material sense), as character mapping describes the elements of the defined space that are constant and decisive for the perception / mapping of the characters in these.

Method First we formed an overview of the city and our potential character area through conducting an " observation walk " through the city. This was necessary since no one had previously been to this town. During our observation excursion through the city, we found some locals that where willing to talk about their city structure: "we asked about the apparent us of first and second stories of the houses along the main street, what these were used for, as it seemed that the street level shops keep stock t on these levels of the houses. What is worth seeing in the city, and where should we go to get an impression of the city's character? We were told that there is a lot of beautiful architecture and interiors in some of the upper levels of the main street houses, but were denied access to a recommended building ( an old pub , now a sports store - Hawkshead ) as there is asbestos in the attic. We were also told that the Boxton Opera House and the old barn (now the main building) at the University of Derby Boxton in the Northern part of Boxton, are unique and beautiful sites to see. We found that after the first walkthrough of the city that our sub-region roughly could be divided into four character areas, where one area of the 4 consists of 2 strands. In this division, we found it possible to create an immediate overview of the most important and essential character elements in these areas, which could be characterized. Then we set a number of parameters to be observed in the area, and "objectively voted" on the character strengths (from 1 to 5 – 5 being a strong character).

  Application of our ontology  

  Ontology should be interpreted narrowly in this regard, as the elements we detect in the character mapping, through the use of the parameters and criteria we set out at the same time , must be assessed " objectively" (even if we had long discussion if this is possible at all). We then examined the area minutely, to record the various parameters within the pre- partitioned areas . character method

parameters: 1 Build Year 2 Size 3 Breakdown 4 Ornaments or function-oriented 5 Gardens 6 Location / views Assessment criteria: 1 Strength of character 2 contrasting 3 spacious unrest 4 Discovery 5 Key Features Votational scale 1 (low ) -5 (strong)

Goal : Representative description of the area in connection with a real estate agent / sales -oriented study . Keywords: Architecture and residential forms.

Area 1 with a sub facing the park side . parameters 1 – 1900’s and 1970’s buildings, and one newer building complex (2006), all in same sandstone style. 2 - 3-4 floors generally , contrast modern block (the same sandstone material as the rest) but constructed with 5-6 floors. 3 - Townhouses for single families, several of the larger houses are divided into self-contained apartments on each floor. (Sub- 1a in the park, overlooks the lake where primarily large townhouses , used for bed and breakfast rentals and nursing home, and these are divided into smaller units)

4 - Many details of the older buildings . Ornaments in sandstone (material that recurs throughout the area) , Edwardian style and new houses in different style - will be included in the same materials , sandstone . Kanaper with slate roofs. Contrast is plastered surfaces of newer homes . 5 - Almost every house has a small front yard - not enclosed . Contrast different rows have kælderlejlighder instead of gardens. 6 sub facing park has good views , another part of the area facing the High Street with shops and town hall .   Assessment Criteria Very strong character : 4 Contrast: 1 Spacious unrest : 1 Discovery : Classic style , typical English architecture experience Key Features : Residential , a minority nursing homes as well as shops and occupation ( dentists the like ) . Sub-area to park : Bed and Breakfast and hotel .

area 2 parameters 1 - Mixed construction with both brand new and very gammele houses - mix. 2 - 2-3 and 3-4 floors , but these are lower than the buildings in Area 1 - 1.A 3 - mix , both letting rooms (for young people, students , etc.). , Shops and apartment buildings . 4 - Facades in Edwardian sandstone theme, but gables and the like are less maintained ( than in Area 1 ) - which is generally worn. Contrasts are plastered walls, an abandoned factory , an old barn and a car park are all situated in the middle of the field . 5 - Small well maintained front gardens bounded by stone walls - very small backyards. Contrast is the closed factory and car park , which has a very worn look . Also few shops appear completely smashed . 6 - The area adjacent to High Street and Camelback Road , which is high-traffic , and has many shops. assessment Criteria Between Strong character : 3 - very mixed in more parameters, but still stands out as a homogeneous residential area. Contrast: 3 High spacious turmoil : 4 - due to busy road on the edge of the area. Slightly experience space : 2 - only access to High Street is interesting. Key Features : Primarily residential

Area 3 with sub-region in the transition to area 4 parameters 1 - Around the year 1900 , with a few modern (very ugly) houses as well as an entire street which is very contrasting and therefore can be considered as a sub-area (Darwin Avenue) . In this area are many different types of houses with various built. 2 - most 3 levels, but higher than the houses in area 2 , densely developed . 3 - one per family . unit 4 - Not flashy ornamentation , but neat carved gables and windows and kanaper . Uniform style , not Edwardian style with large sandstone as in area 1 Smaller size stones of the same color code as the other areas , perhaps less sculptured sandstone. Contrasts are gasbetonshuse , red brick houses and white-painted brick houses, these occur mostly in the contrasting street at the end of the area. 5 - All the houses have small front yards , backyards are filled or built except sub-plot (Darwin Avenue) , where all the houses have large backyards. 6 - High -traffic road to the north - east , close to the school . assessment Criteria Strong character : 4 with the exception of Darwin Avenue , which is the contrasting sub-region . Contrast: 1 - except sub-plot , the area 3 extraordinarily homogeneous in its expression. Spacious unrest : Nearby major road and school district generating as much traffic at the edges of the area. Slightly experience space : 1 Key Features : Residential . area 4 parameters 1 - . approx . 2000 2 - 2-4 storey mixed -family houses and apartment buildings . 3 - Initial breakdown so that townhouses have 2 units and apartments have more . 4 - Fake / modern interpretation of timber and horizontal lines of sandstone ( very ugly ) . Contrasts are in this area a few old brownstones with ornamentation and a few newer houses are not in the homogeneous style which otherwise characterizes the area. 5 - Both front and back yards for each unit (including apartments ), very well-kept. 6 - New construction on a closed road . assessment Criteria Strong character : 4 - area houses are mostly identical or in the same architectural style , but a few old houses create contrast. Contrasting : 4 due to the difference in architectural expression and style Spacious unrest : 2 - A railway line cuts off area at the rear and enclosed area of a busy road. Slightly experience spaces : 0 - architecture is very unappealing without historical value. Key Features: habitation. Discussion of the method in practice At the start of our review of the four areas , it dawns on us that the area is so large that we need to split us up every time we need to uncover one of the four areas. Our strategy was for Karin to be the base, and she would then take notes when we came back to discus and define the area. With this strategy, it was important to ' calibrate' ourselves to each other, as to get a cohesive result. The first method requires that, so to speak, we take blinders on, so you only observe the selected parameters . Secondly, there must be no doubt about what the concepts underlying parameters covers, so as not to get confused or unfocussed . We remedied this problem by doing readings from our notes before arriving at a collaborative text we all agreed on. As we progressed it became easier to agree on the findings of our observation, and the mapping exercise became faster to do.

What have we learned about the place and of the materiality of the place. There are a number of architectural expression that enables all four areas , and perhaps Boxton in general , a particular architectural expression . The city is generally constructed in a height of two to three storey houses semidetached houses, with smooth transitions from private to public, in the form of front yards, to private backyards. The Edwardian style is visible in all of the areas, and sandstone is a building material which generally gives definition to the chosen area, an more over to Boxton in general. Criticism of the method: The problem of the method can be said to be its tendency to give the impression of an objective description of the buildings and the city as a whole. But as we have observed in our group's use of the method, there is a boundary between materiality , sociality , politics and architecture, which is not so easy to be absolutely objective about. This criticism of the method is inspired by Latour 's critique, which in his opinion erects an artificial divide between subject and object , nature and culture, the social and the technical, where the character mapping’s apparent " neutral " mapping of an area can be criticized from this perspective.

However, it seems that the character mapping is able to say something about the area's physical appearance as a " universal", within a time frame. It is for instance hard to refute that Edwardian architecture is an essential character in 3 out of the 4 character areas – and in Boxton in general, or that there are not several shops and BnB establishments in area 1 and 2 – giving a character of a busy street where many people do their errand’s and relax. As a contrast, the greater use of sub-area 3 and 4 has a strong residential feel, with no or few businesses located in these areas.

So it seems possible to get some hard data out of this kind of method for mapping - which we all found quite fascinating.

[manchunianfieldtripnotes2013]

Peak District (1954) - extract

Uploaded on Aug 19, 2011 by BFIfilms

Escape the smoggy city and join this colourful 1950s tour around England's Peak District courtesy of British Transport Films. Robert Shaw provides the soothing narration. You can see the complete film and over 2000 other titles free in BFI Mediatheques around the UK

[manchunianfieldtripnotes2013]

Waze & Odyssey appear as part of Bestival at The Warehouse Project HOT CHIP CHIC FT. NILE RODGERS - LAST EUROPEAN SHOW OF 2013 2MANYDJS ROB DA BANK TOTALLY ENORMOUS EXTINCT DINOSAURS - DJ SET TODDLA T AEROPLANE WAZE & ODYSSEY HORSE MEAT DISCO MARIBOU STATE KRYSTAL KLEAR SOPHIE (NUMBERS) PEDESTRIAN DROP THE MUSTARD NOW WAVE DJS WILL TRAMP! SOLD OUT

[manchunianfieldtripnotes2013]

Ethnography & Interview Exercise: Edale in the Peak District

For this field exercise in Edale , we worked with ethnography & Go -Along interviews, where we used a qualitative approach to create a basis for understanding Edale; as a place made ​​up of human relations and discourses . The Go-Along interview method was the focus of our examination of concrete face-to -face relationships, social interactions , and the use and perception of the city as well as the surrounding countryside. However to figure out what Edale could be interpreted as, turned out to lead us in different directions of use and affiliation. - Due to the focus on the "face -to-face" perspective of doing our research,a good starting point to for examining the interaction between the actual everyday-life and bodily uses of places, and how this unfolds in the lived life (see De Certeau 1984, Cook et al 2004 ; Watson and Till 2010) the geographical ethnography seems wellplaced for doing an analysis. As our empirical data will point out , there are many discourses about what Edale is , how people use / live life in Edale, and what is this village is perceived as.

As ethnography is a  qualitative method which is context- focused, one has to be eager to learn, observe, understand , describe, analyze and communicate how people understand places and interact with each other in specific situations in specific places and times. The method is focused on social practice, with the aim of developing a deep / deeper understanding of individuals and group-culture and behavior in relation the physical structure of the place and the  lived life . Ethnographic methods can however, also be used to distance oneself from what one already " understands or believes " , and through interviews , the researcher can achieve a new and deeper conception of the research area , which might challenge previous  preconceptions ( Larsen & Maged 2011: 304

It is therefore important to note that the ethnographic approach involves, an understanding that ethnography is in a constant exchange between participant observation and reading of theory - between obtaining, interpreting and describing data (Pink 2006; O'Reilly 2009 cit in Larsen & Maged 2011:305 ) . The Go -Along method In her article " Street Phenomenology : The Go -Along method as an Ethnographic Research Tool " Margarethe Kusenbach introduces the "Go -Along " method and how to possibly apply it . Here she describes how this method differs from traditional ethnographic participant observation and interviews, and why the "Go-Along" method has the potential to improve access to some of the transcendent and reflexive aspects of everyday-life-experience in a given physical space (Kusenbach 2003 : 455 ). The "Go -along" method was developed based on a phenomenological approach , where the researcher is placed in the " urban / rural " space along with willing informants , in order to have easier access to their experience and practice. This unique location by the researcher in the field, alongside the informant, enables certain narratives and interactional dynamics that are usually limited by interview situations, separate from the space which is to be examined, and is therefore better suited to let informants articulate their feelings, opinions and experiences of the specific place. The "Go -Along " method therefore allows for a better insight into how individuals describe understandings of different areas - including how the interaction between individuals and the space is involved in forming identities (Kusenbach 2003:478 ) . " Go -along " method is therefore argued as bringing greater phenomenological sensibility to ethnography, by allowing researchers to focus on different aspects of the everyday life, as the method makes visible and easier to articulate how everyday experiences and practices transcend the immediate, as the " Go -Along " method highlights the fundamental reflexivity that humans have with the physical world. This relationship between people and places can better be articulated as the research takes place in the space which is the focus of the research endeavor   ( Kusenbach 2003:455-78 ) .        Arriving at Edale, Field Notes: To illustrate our own positioning and preconception of Edale , I will include a short exert from my field notes; which is a subjective account about the arrival to the area and the village - Edale: "The train has prepared for us on our arrival to Edale . It has been a beautiful train-ride out of the " ruin "of Manchester, with its shattered factories, dilapidated warehouses, the ruined social housing projects and the large dump site, which decorates the scenery along the tracks, as you drive out of town in a south-easterly direction - towards the Peak District and Edale . - This southern part of the city, behind Piccadilly station; facing away from the inner city, must be the poor part of Manchester - I am thinking to myself as I watch the scenery pass by.

When we get outside of Manchester, the the trees and the natural landscape starts to set the mood - and we can see the old cultural landscape with its characteristic " enclosure " stone fences that characterize the hilly landscape outside the windows. We pass an old " mill" , which most likely has produced cotton products in "recent" history. The factory stands as a monument to a bygone era - it must have been one of the first factories in the era of industrialization, because it was run on hydro power, and not steam. - We continue a few stations further, away from the city, out into the hilly landscape. The tour is very beautiful, and lasts approx. 45 min , and I'm happy when we arrive at Edale , ready to experience another area, and I am completely devoid of Manchester's urban environment, even if the joy of being in nature is a reminder of where we just came from. " First impressions of Edale : On arrival at the station we decide to film ourselves and our first impressions of Edale , as part of using ourselves as outsiders in the study of the city. Since we have not been to the city before , this seemed a reflexive ethnographic perspective to include  - as we where trying to get a situational and sensual understanding of the area, before we began to make an interview guide. In this way we though it better to figure out what  might be particularly interesting to examine and ask our furutre informants about - and important even in picking out our enformants as the users of the village were there for very different reasons with different histories of the place. Also, we thought that our articulation and video documentation of our impressions of the city , could be interesting to watch in the future - to see if our interviews would confirm or deny us our first impressions.

After a walk through the city , we all agreed that the village was/is very picturesque , but it almost becomes too " Walt Disney ", and did not feel as if the city was especially authentic . Everything seemed to be planned, and we couldn't help but be critical of this otherwise beautiful idyllic village , surrounded  by a stunningly beautiful natural landscape . At one point even some chickens, running around freely in a garden seemed to stand prepared to have their "picture taken", frozen in a picture perfect stance.

- We decide to look into this town idyll, as well as people's sense of belonging to this place - (our loose interview guide was formed this way).

  The First informal Interviews:

During the first informal interviews (made without camera ) , with a craftsman , a cyclist from Sheffield and a local man in the area , we got a first impression of what the village offers. We fell into a conversation with a craftsman, who was in the process of renovating a house for a married couple who want to use this old barn building as a country home. The idea is that it all should look old , but everything in this house  is modern and has internet, a dishwasher, insulated windows and heated floors. The craftsman, when asked, thought that Edale is a very idyllic and lovely place , and his dog (which he brings to work) seemed relaxed sleeping on the front seat of the van while we talked. We went on to ask an older man about Edale, as he was standing by his garden gate - greeting a passing car (his neighbor ). He was in the process of washing his orange BMW, when we fall into conversation with him. He explained that he had earned his money in "the offshore " industry, and told us ( as we said we come from Denmark ) that he had been working in Aalborg at one time in his career. He moved to Edale approx. 30 years ago, and now thinks of themselves as local. He explained that Edale has much to offer , not least the local community , nature, and the two local pubs. He was also happy that Edale is within a reasonable driving distance by car and train from Sheffield and Manchester , as the bigger city's entertainment is never far away. He also told us that the last house sold in Edale took less than 2 weeks to sell, and was incredibly expensive - implying that Edale is becomming a quite posh place to be , even in times of Crisis  . After a brief talk about our impressions of the city , we split up into two teams to film some informants . However , before we (Mark , Jan and Sune ) begin filming , we fall into conversation with a exerciser who has cycled from Sheffield to Edale . The man is from France but has lived in Sheffield for the last 20 years and like here nature , and loves to run those long trips - when the weather all is dry. He does not think much of Edale 's idyll , and seems that this is a " Fony culture" . He does not believe that there is a very "local " back up here , and suggest that such is no agriculture more - only tourists and people with money , and that people "are beying the dream ." It is now ( in his opinion ) rich people from Manchester and Sheffield who live up here , and he thinks that the many cafés , great pubs and delis reveals that it is the nouveau riche tenants that now defines the area who buys herself the " staged" idyll. The man has traveled a lot , and we fall short of talk that he has been at the conference in Copenhagen ( but he apologizes that he was only there for 1 day, and therefore did not seen so much of the city) . He is very interested in urban planning, and we find it hard to finish this otherwise interesting conversation - to start our video interviews. He adds, before we leave, that we must look into an English geographer named Dany Dorling as he might be a help to us in our work.

There are many mixed impression of Edale , however, it remains to the town appears idyllic, and very neat and cosy. Apparently there are some that seem view this as superficial and staged , while there are also those who seem to surrender to it and bey into it. - We begin to reflect on ourselves : there is basically nothing wrong with this idyll , or is it just that we are sceptical, and don’t " buy the dream " ? -  we continue our interviews to learn more about this . We split up into two groups ( a 3 man group and a 2 man group) , and begin to find informants to interview and who are willing to be filmed while we go for a walk. Interview with a Mature Women; done by Christian & Karin

Karin and I (Christian) met an elderly lady who has some errands in town. She says we may walk with her and do our interview while she does her erinds. The lady has lived in Edale all her life, but her family has not lived here for generations. Actually it her ​​father bought a building and made it into ​​an inn, which he sold in the 1960’s. Her father came from Manchester, where he worked in the cotton industry . The lady explained that it was great growing up in Edale, with the long holidays and the nature surrounding the town. She was especially fond of agriculture, and has worked with mixed farming through out her working career. In her time people could get by with only twelve dairy cows ! She has lived here her entire life, and she certainly could not imagine having to be moved to Manchester. It is a very old village, her own house is from the 70’s, but there are houses that date back to the 1600s . - How long does it take to become a local, we ask her ? possibly an entire generation , the lady replies. She now enters a private house, as she has a letter deliver. We figure out that it is the locals that dispatch and deliver the letters in Edale. The lady seems to know the woman at the house quite well, and they spend a good deal of time conversing about different things. It's her first errand in Edale. We are on a side street off the main street waiting for her to finish her conversation and Karin starts think that it is getting  a little awkward to stand and wait for the lady , as it is actually taking quite a long time for her conversation to end. We talk about how it might be typical of the village life, or maybe just for the elderly - that they generally ' take better time ' here, and that interaction forms may also become longer at this place as people know each other better (aka. Locals delivering the mail). As we move on to the lady's next errand, we walk along something that I would describe as a shortcut for the locals. It is a narrow way, with weeds growing all over it - The lady likes living in the village, ' the countryside ' , and she does not really like too many visitors. It is the familiar face she appreciates. She has noticed the increasing number of people who are starting to come to Edale , but she does not feel exhibited almost the opposite . She states that the people are blasé and absent. It's as if they do not see what is around them when they are here, because they are too busy talking or doing other things . - The lady says that they have did ​​farming to get rich, it was a way to stay alive and have something to do. The lady is now on her second errand, delivering two letters. The first letter is for a woman who has to clean a cabin, next to where she lives. Her brother is visiting at the moment and using the hut , so she doesn’t want it cleaned up before he has gone. The second letter is for someone to get collect two boxes of envelopes with the church logo’s on - for charity. It is apparently normal for the lady to deliver letters to residents in Edale, where she will also be able to inform you about whats going on in the village. Not phone , no sms , no internet . She says that there is a good relationship between neighbours in Edale, they have a ' community house ' in the center of the city . Here they have everything, she says. ' Preschool groups ' scouts ' Jazz group ' use it, and she herself is an active member of the ' community house ' . She helps to keep a "magazine " about what’s going on in the village , but she is 81 years old, so she is beginning to take it easy . She is also active in the church work, which takes a lot of effort, she says. But there are now almost no members left at the church, she says. Karin asks the lady if she herself has been much in the wild. " Sure ," she says , but it has mostly been associated with their farming. There has not really been time for anything else. She wishes she had walked some more, but she has simply been too busy with agriculture. She says that you are very aware of nature when you are part of a farm . - She says that her father was part of a hiking group, and it was terrible. The goal was just to go as far as possible. They nearly didn’t stop to get food . One of her friends got a leg injury, not from going to the dance, but from the ' trek ' . This seems clearly seems absurd to the lady! It is a small community, and relatively easy to keep track of what is going on in the area. For her this is a positive thing. There has been a few newcomers to Edale , and it depends if they participate in the ' community' or not, says the lady . But she does not see some cultural differences, between those who have been here for a long time and the new. It's just a question of whether they choose to participate or not.

- There are far fewer dealing with rural professions now however, because a small farm can no longer make a profit. So it is better to cater for tourists or commute to jobs in Manchester, where people earn their money. The lady has a hard time thinking about what the future will bring for Edale . The council has just made two buldings historic, and preserved them, and it has become more expensive to live in Edale. So it's more wealthy people who settle here now . Before we go on our way, the lady tells us about her grandson and daughter , who attended school in Denmark , and in Kenya. Edale really seems to be both connected internally and outside of this small rural community – even globally.

Interviews with married couples (Mark , Jan & Sune ):

After talking to a French cyclist from Sheffield, we fall into a conversation with an elderly couple from Dorby (which are obviously tourists, as the big map and the rucksack, and the direction of the trail reveals this). They agree that we can interview them - even though we all think it's a little strange that one of us has a camera on his head - but we all get used to it fast.

When we ask about how they heard about Edale, the man tells us that they found an article in their local newspaper "the Dorby Telegraph", describing a beautiful trekking route in Edale. At the same time as going on the trek, the couple also ordered a romantic evening and morning in the village, as they booked an overnight stay at a local Bed & Breakfast. They let the kids take care of themselves at home, while they have a romantic break, and they seem happy in each other company. We apologize if our intrusion interferes with their romantic "get away" , but they seem okey with it and actually seem to think that it 's funny that we are wanting to interview them. They have driven by car and parked by their BnB, as there are not so many parking spots in Edale for non- paying guests. We catch them when they are on their way out of Edale , heading towards the trekking route outside the village. They seem very concerned with their maps and finding the right path , as indicated in the article. They like the village and the old sandstone buildings, which are nice and charming. When we ask about its appearance, their intuitive responses is that Edale is very homogeneous in its form , and that the new houses and refurbishment of the old , surely must follow a specific period guide style - since the city is so nice.

The couple is often on trekking tours around the UK and are very happy that they can get out and experience the country in this way . They also have more time for that now, as the man is now working part-time , and the children are now old enough to " move out " even if they still live at home. They are fascinated by the landscape of the Peak District. The conversation now begins to centre around Derbyshire - their hometown , which has gone through a long period of decline ( like Manchester ). We are told that the large factories in the city are  mostly closed, and how the hospitality industry (which the man working in ) has suffered from the loss of the many jobs in the city. They think it is good that their son has begun a military career, because there are better options for his future in the military, than to find something meaningful to do in Dorby - he was studying to be an aircraft mechanic in the airforce. At the top of the first big hill , we say goodbye and wish them a good, cozy and romantic trip in the mountains. Concluding comments on Interviews: As our empirical data shows there are many discourse and a variety of lifestyles, that cross each other in Edale. Our use of ethnography, informal interviews and the 'go along ' approach gave us some insight into the qualities of the everyday life in the village . The interview with the older lady gave us both an insight into her daily life in Edale, as well did the informal talk with the carpenter, a local resident and the couple who seemed to be more concerned with having a “romantic experience" together. All the above mentioned people were positively inclined towards Edale, and it was only the cyclist that stood critical of this idyllic village.

There are several places in our informants reflexively portrays their own historical context in the village and outside it. During the conception of the historical context, and the everyday practice, has showed the ' go along ' approach has many strengths in being placed in the same space with the informant as is being talked about. – As an example, as we followed our informants around, their consciousness naturally directed itself towards the world around as we walked and talked. In this way is is easier to recall and access stories that stick to Edale, and where specific places trigger a specific recollection, though or feeling.

Besides being able to take advantage of the informants' own stories in relation to specific spatial artefacts, which also influences the interview as we move through our interviews, so does the ' go along ' approach also allow to observe actions in the space we are looking at, and document this through the use of the camera . All the unspoken , implicit , appears through the movements and patterns. Elements that would otherwise have been invisible, in a 'traditional ' interviews, or an image or a voice recorder, is better caught by the camera. We subsequently noted, and in dialogue with our lecturers, that by placing the camera on ourselves , rather than the informant , we actually missed being able to have that point of view of what elements the informant is looking at.  If therefore, it is possible for the informant to carry the camera helmet him/herself, it would thus provide additional strength to the method. However, we also think critically of this approach, as we suspect that if we give an informant a camera on his head, one might change ones behaviour. Perhaps a romantic trip to the mountains would not be the focuse of the experience, rather than a  camera on ones head ? All in all, the trip to Edale has been enlightening , not least shown the deep complexity of a small village

Discussion of field notes and written representation:

The main task presents its own field notes and summaries of interviews from Edale in combination with a continuous reflection on method, incorporates a first analytical layer, as the selection and presentations of our data, both our own experiences and informants' statements represents a reworking, which both occurred on site and subsequently in writing assignments process. In this way, the city's social and cultural identities attempted produced continuously throughout the project via this presentation. A further analysis, which is meant to crystallize our actual analytical results , as interpretations of the primary selection and presentation of our data is the final conclusion and summation of our field-trip to Edale. Analysis

Edale seems at first as a quiet, rural village where time and the state of affairs are at a near standstill. Upon closer inspection, one discovers that the place in many ways is about moving physically, socio - economic and temporally. For example, there are many ways to move through the village , as well as several different ways to look at the city and nature. We hear from the old lady, a sigh as the many tourist urgently walk through the village, to get to nature, which they trek through as fast as possible, without having time to stop and look at the fantastic scenery – or worse yet, they risk injuring themselves from the fast pace.

We know that the village is at the starting point of a longer hike route to Scotland, which has traditionally been used as a kind of rite of passage for British men. In this perspective, she may have a point in that nature becomes a kind of backdrop, where movement and exertion, stands at the center of the experience of this environment and place. This perspective also touches opon how the village and the countryside is seen and perceived. As the example of the couple shows, they have come to Edale to experience an articles depiction of the idyll, and have furthermore come to town and the countryside to look and find each other. Moreover, the couple inform themselves from a description read in an article, and go to great trouble to find the right route , instead of doing as the old lady prescribes, which would be just to stop and enjoy nature. There are so many different speeds and routes in the city , which defines the way the city is looked at and perceived. You can add to this the cyclist, which may be said to have a high speed due to his bike, and that he is not inclined to consider the city's so-called idyllic, as it attractive for him. The city is in this fast- conception a backdrop for most, except perhaps the old lady who has actually lived there all his life. But even from her, we hear how it is important that the town retains its old expression and all modern facilities must , as it were, be hidden behind sandstone facades in accordance with the 1600s construction methods . Socio - economically , the city is moving, when we learn that there is a great change in demography from a primarily agriculture-based population to a commuter community of educated and newly rich people. We talked to a man who had made ​​a fortune, from the off-shore industry, and who moved to Edale. Even the old lady, who one might consider to be "native" – born and raised in Edale, was born in the city precisely because a similar migration, - her father had earned enough money in Manchester's cotton industry to buy an inn in Edale . The city is in many ways connected with the rest of the world, which lifts it out of our immediate assumption that it was a small community only oriented towards the introvert. Instead we found, that a large part of the population commute, while there is a constant stream of visitors from near and far. Most people we talked to, also mentioned how they have some affiliation with Denmark or Copenhagen, which shows that Edale is not a terminus far out in the country, but rather it is an internationalized city in a local, regional and global network.

One can say that Edale is just another node in the global network, a part of the market, the entertainment industry, a place to grow old and grow up, a place to live but not work, which holds an idea of nature and the village life which is different for different users. And why should this city not be touched by the world's movements, even despite the great efforts to maintain a local sandstone outer expression. We found that it is not.

[manchunianfieldtripnotes2013]

The Smiths - This Charming Man

[manchunianfieldtripnotes2013]

The Smiths Remix: This Charming Man We know so much about these things..! Blankhaus Team facebook.com/blankhausmusic twitter.com/blankhausmusic

[manchunianfieldtripnotes2013]

A nice vegan cafe next to the community garden. Importantly they did have real milk (not soya) for my white coffee... Nice! Liked the interior too...

[urbanexcursioncph]

Uploaded by TEDxTalks on Nov 2, 2011

Urban agriculture has been taking place  for decades, starting with the industrialization of Western Europe in the 20th century, where it serves as an important way of self-reliance. Today, with conventional agriculture “Big Ag" being at a cross-road in terms of its ecological impact on the environment and the increased food demand of a population growing to an estimated 9 billion people by 2050, urban agriculture may very well be one of the solutions for providing enough food for the 21st century.

As Roman Gaus explains, urban agriculture offers a strategy to grow potentially enough food in the city to feed its entire population. What’s more, it also creates healthier, wealthier and happier cities, offering consumers fresh, local, quality food choices and providing a road to a better quality of life, through having a direct connection to what you eat and information about where it came from and how it was produced. Roman Gaus, Founder of UrbanFarmers

[urbanexcursioncph]

Aquaponics, and how it might work.

Uploaded by TEDxTalks on Mar 17, 2011

We found this really amazing clip, where Charlie Price from the social enterprise Aquaponics UK, explores the role aquaponics can play in the future of our collective food supply. He provides an insight into both the applications for aquaponics but more specifically a new approach to urban agriculture, turning wastes into resources and transforming disused urban spaces into ways to provide not only food, but resilient communities.

[manchunianfieldtripnotes2013]

More pictures from the community garden in Hulme... Its an Awesome place, with plants for sale, good advise for free, genuinely nice and friendly people working there, and a tourist attraction of a toilet working on wood-chips... Cool!!! Ill be sure to visit again if I ever make my way past Manchester again, which I probably will.

[manchunianfieldtripnotes2013]

On our guided tour around Manchester - We were shown this amazing community garden in Hulme. I was so exited about this little place of peace and serenity, located quite close to a busy highway road. Just 30 min here and I had my batteries recharged, even if I was jumping around like and idiot with my coffee in one hand and a camera in the other, to try and capture all the small little details that made this garden homy...

[manchunianfieldtripnotes2013]

Vertical Farm - Manchester International Festival

from Creative Concern Plus 1 year ago not yet rated

Produced for the sold-out Vertical Farm event at Manchester International Festival and shown alongside a talk by the inspirational Dr. Dickson Despommier, pioneer of the vertical farm movement.

With rising global populations putting ever more pressure on farm land, the race is on to find new ways of feeding the world. Solutions to this issue include vertical farms; a revolutionary new idea to create high rise farms within the urban environment.

MIF plans an ambitious project to create the UK’s first multi-storey vertical farm, located in a disused tower block right here in Manchester.

[urbanexcursioncph]

This track is just awesome!!!

Had it on repeat the whole weekend!!!

Tracks: Outkast - Rosa Parks Cassius - Feeling For You (Les Rythmes Digitales Remix)

[manchunianfieldtripnotes2013]

Rosa Parks… Remember how the Blacks were segregated in the USA on the bus, and everywhere else, no more than 60/70 years ago… History can teach us much!!! Its important to remember!!!

[manchunianfieldtripnotes2013]

Pictures from the amazing Imperial War Museum in Manchester, and pictures of Media City... My camera went out of Joice here, so I didn't get to take more pictures of my Chou... But I guess she can recall our rendezvous from the pictures

- I was really impressed with the IWM and the style of storytelling that the museum uses. Its really emotional, and tells of the horrors of war in a very subtle and sophisticated way. The fractured, bent and burned steel outer skeleton from the World Trade Center in NYC, was one of the artifacts that really touched a nerve with me, as well as the story of how a British Citizen escaped from one of the towers after the first plane had hit the tower... If you get a chance, go see this Museum!