Leila C. Valoura
Lund University, Sweden
Ladda ner artikel
Ingår i: Current Issues in European Cultural Studies; June 15-17; Norrköping; Sweden 2011
Linköping Electronic Conference Proceedings 62:60, s. 563-570
Publicerad: 2011-11-22
ISBN: 978-91-7519-993-1
ISSN: 1650-3686 (tryckt), 1650-3740 (online)
This article describes and analyzes a three-month ethnographic field research study conducted at Knutpunkten; the central hub of all transportation located in the city of Helsingborg; on the southwest coast of Sweden. This busy; urban setting of transportation is affected by social conflicts and the general public’s feeling of avoidance; as if Knutpunkten was invisible. Looking further at these features the research study aims to uncover layers of social practices enacted in the space of this hub that “conveys” a diversity of people everyday through its space. In observation of material and non-material cultures as well as interviews; findings suggest that Knutpunkten reflects the social tension involving power relations; segregation; excessive alcohol consumption; and youth disorientation that exists outside its walls; as if this hub was a microcosm of Helsingborg. Contrasts; e.g.; mobility/stagnation; routine/entertainment; upstairs/downstairs bring relevant and timely reflections regarding spatial practices and empowerment in the city of Helsingborg; at a time when the city is planning the urban renewal project H+ The Tolerant City; which will be built South of Knutpunkten.
City of Helsingborg; & Blå; L. (2007). Helsingborg: The continent starts here. Mölndal; Sweden: Göteborgstryckeriet.
Harvey; D. (1989). The urban experience. Baltimore; MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press.
Helsingborg Stad. (n.d.). H+ vision is about the tolerant city. Retrieved from http://www.helsingborg.se/templates/StandardPage.aspx?id=71994&epslanguage=EN
Helsingborg Stad. (n.d.). The H+ project. Retrieved from http://www.helsingborg.se/templates/StandardPage.aspx?id=71994&epslanguage=EN&am p;print=true
Helsingborg Stad. (n.d.). Facts about helsingborg. Retrieved from http://www.helsingborg.se/templates/StandardPage.aspx?id=553&epslanguage=EN
O’Dell; T. (2006). Commute (ke-myoot ) v. ETN Etnologisk Skriftserie; 2; 87–95.
O’Toole; P.; & Were; P. (2008). Observing places: Using space and material culture in qualitative research. Qualitative Research; 8; 616–634.
Sennett; R. (1994). Flesh and stone: The body and the city in western civilization. New York and London: W.W. Norton & Company.
Shove; E.; Watson; M.; Hand; M.; & Ingram; J. (2007). The design of everyday life. Oxford and New York: Berg.
