Embedding an Ecology Notion in the Social Production of Urban Space

Abstract

This chapter defines, explores and exemplifies research at the intersection of people, place and technology in cities. First we theorise the notion of ecology in the social production of space to continue our response to the quest of making sense of an environment characterised by different stakeholders and actors as well as technical, social and discursive elements that operate across dynamic time and space constraints. Second we describe and rationalise our research approach which is designed to illuminate from three different perspectives the processes at play in the social production of space. We illustrate the application of our model in a discussion of a case study of community networking and community engagement in an Australian urban renewal site. Three specific interventions that are loosely positioned at the exchange of each perspective are then discussed in detail, namely: Sharing Stories; Social Patchwork and History Lines; and City Flocks.