research relationships are not formal, you get to know people and they get to know you, therefore a contract of trust accompanies the social relationships but also an expectation for action which comes with it responsibility. Throughout the process I have felt that I want to help those involved and the wider area, but unsure if I am and if I can, but as Tornaghi states, accessing a lived space is ‘a social act’ therefore working ‘with’ communities should characterise any future steps (p. 37). This is how I would like to continue to conduct research but now with a much greater awareness of the expectations and emotions that are likely to accompany the process. As a researcher in this situation I must assume full responsibility for the legacy of the relationships as the research practice guides. Listening to others is an important skill in the empowerment of marginalised voices and recognises a ‘politics of position’
(Tornaghi, 2015, p.36). The authors recognise the ‘transformational potential of social engagement’, and that through the process societal power and knowledge dynamics are being challenged which is key to the purpose of the research. During the interview process I was unsure whether to share my opinion, and mostly refrained from doing so until after the interview, however the relational approach states the practice encourages an ‘ethical stance against neutrality’ therefore this is encouraging to read to help build research relationships with a more balanced dynamic. I was particularly pleased to read that relational practitioners aim to question typical boundaries of how a problem has been defined and conceptualised, which I now feel on reflection is fitting to how I approached the research aims inductively, guided by the community and the insight for topics of focus and ultimately how the research was analysed. For future research I think I will feel more confident to be continually guided by
communities in defining a research focus and also involve willing co-researchers in analysis steps and sharing results. It is important to remember that data is someone’s life story. This is the gift of qualitative research, filled with emotions and feelings that have a real meaning to someone’s every-day life, especially in the context of urban places and social dimensions.
There are several ways research could be developed from this initial study:
Mixed methods analysis: The research has been designed as a mixed methods study, however this study only uses the quantitative data to support a qualitative led study.
Following the completion of the thesis it would be interesting to explore how both data sets can be integrated more systematically as a mixed methods approach for both academic and community presentation.
Socio-environmental equity measure to define place-based movement for wellbeing:
The research suggests that socio-environmental justice is related to place based movement, which can cross socio-economic divisions and therefore potentially
change how we might consider deprivation in a city living context and access to green spaces from a wellbeing perspective. Therefore, it would be interesting to explore the quality of environment as a deprivation measure through a place-based experience in
the city, and what sort of equity measures could support an understanding of socio-environmental equity.
Phytology as a social learning environment for human agency: The research findings have broad application at a wider society level, however Phytology is a place in itself that involves citizens beyond geographic boundaries. It would be interesting to
explore how Phytology through place attachments mobilises social and environmental action, which could have implication for further design of green spaces and urban land in the borough and elsewhere from a citizen perspective. What are the core values that unite people in a common purpose? A case study could be drafted in relation to the theoretical framework outlined in this research.
Evolution of emotions in poor quality urban environments: In the context of safety, the research suggests the experience of human emotions in urban environments can evolve to have darker meanings, such as laughter and joy. It would be useful to explore how emotions within socio-environmental contexts might be modified by poor quality conditions, which may link to mental health issues. Understanding how emotions link to ‘place cells’ and the hippocampus from a neurological perspective would also be interesting to explore to understand the cognitive impact.
Role of women in design of cities: Fostering the role of women in the design of wellbeing in cities is important to reflect an experience that could support the
development of ‘value regulating’ initiatives alongside provision structures that have wide social and environmental equity benefits for place-based populations.
Biopsychosocial: A perspective in health that diseases and symptoms can be explained by physical, social, cultural and psychological factors
Collective efficacy: The process of activating social ties in neighbourhoods to achieve collective goals (such as regulation of safe environments).
Environmental sustainability: A term that directs responsible interaction between humanity and the environment to meet the needs for today’s population without damaging the ability for future generations needs to be met whilst avoiding depletion of natural resources for long-term environmental quality
Place attachment: An emotional bond between a person and location from an individual perspective
Place: An environment formed through lived experiences based on interrelationships with an individual's psychological and social processes and activities at the spatial location
Proxy efficacy: The belief in others to act in one’s interests (democratic institutions)
Self-efficacy: The belief that one can perform particular behaviour in a given set of circumstances
Social sustainability: A term that is recognized as having two core pillars; social equity and sustainable communities as Bramley et al outline. Social sustainability is often referred to as the least explored sustainability concept alongside ecological and economical domains
Sustainable communities: The functioning of society as a collective group which includes aspects social concepts such as neighbourhood attachment, stability, safety, security, social interaction, participation and perceived quality of the local
environment as Dempsey et al and Bramley et al outline
Social equity: Defined by social justice and fairness of distribution of resources and the equality of condition as Dempsey et al outline
Social wellbeing: The basis for social equality, social capital and social trust