Abstract
Open spaces have become critical in planning of compact cities. In this article, we analyse the social and ecological significance of the Pispala allotment area close to the city centre of Tampere. Local residents use these nearly 300 plots for urban farming, but the city is planning to take the area for building
purposes. We use data from field observation, planning documents, biological field surveys, and questionnaires sent to the farmers and other local residents. Based on a mixed-method explorative analysis, the findings suggest that the reiterative cycles of farming practices have far-reaching consequences: they 1) make the place visible and meaningful to a variety of people, 2) extend the place
over the surrounding neighborhoods by animating social interaction and restoring historical meanings and shared identity, and 3) link the site ecologically to a regional species pool with rare plant species dependent upon historical layers of human settlement.
We conclude that these features of urban diversity are frequently disregarded by local administrative bodies, as they lie beyond the formal categories of
evidence used in planning. However, they are crucial for understanding the social and cultural dynamics of urban ecosystem services.
purposes. We use data from field observation, planning documents, biological field surveys, and questionnaires sent to the farmers and other local residents. Based on a mixed-method explorative analysis, the findings suggest that the reiterative cycles of farming practices have far-reaching consequences: they 1) make the place visible and meaningful to a variety of people, 2) extend the place
over the surrounding neighborhoods by animating social interaction and restoring historical meanings and shared identity, and 3) link the site ecologically to a regional species pool with rare plant species dependent upon historical layers of human settlement.
We conclude that these features of urban diversity are frequently disregarded by local administrative bodies, as they lie beyond the formal categories of
evidence used in planning. However, they are crucial for understanding the social and cultural dynamics of urban ecosystem services.
| Original language | Finnish |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 35-48 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Alue ja Ympäristö |
| Volume | 40 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 20 Dec 2011 |
| Publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Keywords
- affect, ecosystem services, thick place, urban farming