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Investigating spatial transformation processes: an ethnographic discourse analysis in disadvantaged neighbourhoods
Über die Untersuchung räumlicher Transformationsprozesse: eine ethnographische Diskursanalyse in benachteiligten Stadtvierteln
[journal article]
Abstract This contribution focuses on the question of how spatial transformation processes, or to be more concrete, the social reconstruction of places can be methodologically investigated. On the basis of a micro-perspective, I will argue that it is communicative action that plays a crucial role in spatial ... view more
This contribution focuses on the question of how spatial transformation processes, or to be more concrete, the social reconstruction of places can be methodologically investigated. On the basis of a micro-perspective, I will argue that it is communicative action that plays a crucial role in spatial transformation processes. Taking this into account, the main question is how the structures and dynamics of space-related communicative action in actor constellations as well as in discourses can be empirically explored. Such a dynamic and broad object of research in methodological terms requires a complex research design, and I suggest that it is an "ethnographic discourse analysis" which can meet these requirements. In the following, I will start with basic theoretical considerations, to then outline the research question of a project that, by the example of ‘urban pioneers’, investigates bottom-up initiatives aiming to achieve more quality of life in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. First of all, I will describe the significant properties of the selected neighbourhoods of Berlin-Moabit and Hamburg-Wilhelmsburg in Germany as well as the characteristics of the urban actors under analysis. Subsequently, I will explain the way in which (focused) ethnography and (the sociology of knowledge approach to) discourse analysis were combined, particularly how the methods involved – such as the problem-centred interview, ego-centred network analysis, participant observation as well as discourse analytical procedures – were applied and how the collected data were analysed. The contribution concludes with the presentation of selected results and a discussion on how far the methodological proceeding proved to be adequate in order to investigate spatial transformation processes on a "microscopic level".... view less
Keywords
city quarter; communicative action; neighborhood; urban planning; ethnography; Federal Republic of Germany; large city; Hamburg; deprivation; Berlin; discourse analysis
Classification
Research Design
Sociology of Settlements and Housing, Urban Sociology
Method
qualitative empirical; empirical; development of methods; basic research
Free Keywords
multi-method approach; spatial transformation; bottom-up initiatives; urban pioneers
Document language
English
Publication Year
2014
Page/Pages
p. 235-256
Journal
Historical Social Research, 39 (2014) 2
Issue topic
Spatial analysis
DOI
https://doi.org/10.12759/hsr.39.2014.2.235-256
ISSN
0172-6404
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed