Strategic Spaces Research Articles

Thinking the Work of Craft as City’s Identity Case Study: Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Art in public spaces is often associated with fine art, sculptures in particular. The association changes along with the development of visual art, as happens in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. There are innumerable artistic and cultural novelties and happenings in Yogyakarta that it is known as the city of culture. One of the novelties is the utilization of craft work as the art in the city's strategic public spaces. Evidently this change incites various reactions since it never happened before. Craft art was associated with the small, practical, functional, and mass-produced objects placed indoor. With this significant change, it can be said that craft has highly developed. Therefore, it becomes an interesting object to study. Evidently craft products can exist in Yogyakarta public spaces and it can be an icon as well as the city identity. This is a qualitative research with interdisciplinary approach. This analysis of the craft in Yogyakarta public spaces is based on the craft, aesthetic, public art, expansion theory, and sociology of art. This paper describes the changes in craft that it occupies Yogyakarta public spaces. The phenomenon of such changes provides a new dimension in enhancing knowledge in the craft domain. Keywords: Craft, Public Art, City, Yogyakarta DOI : 10.7176/ADS/76-10 Publication date :September 30 th 2019

La cuarta transformación en México carece de sujeto político

México, en voz de su presidente, ha iniciado la cuarta transformación del país, entendida como un cambio substancial en la vida económica, política y socio-cultural. Un proceso que implica reformar leyes, crear nuevas instituciones, redirigir la orientación de la política económica, redistribuir mejor el ingreso, ajustar la política fiscal y ante todo, involucrar a la sociedad civil en la dinámica transformadora; sin embargo, las primeras medidas instrumentadas están orientada en sentido contrario a los razonamientos discursivos, los actos de gobierno no han incorporado las redes, saberes y memorias colectivas de movimientos populares existentes, desconoce toda institucionalidad, abriga en su decisión las decisiones estratégicas asumidas, no acepta la mediación de colectivos empoderados y el Movimiento de Regeneración Nacional (Morena) no aprovecha la cartografía de los diversos sujetos locales para armar una acción colectiva con perfil de cambio; por tanto, el objetivo de este artículo es identificar los elementos que llevan a la ausencia del sujeto político. Si bien es cierto, que la narrativa convoca al pueblo, lo uniforma en sujeto despojado, sin derechos y olvidado, le concede paliativos, en la práctica ataja los ímpetus participativos; proclama la construcción de identidades populares para sumar a todos los micros movimientos locales, pero los aleja de las decisiones substanciales; anuncia cambios profundo en la lógica gubernamental pero niega al sujeto político su intervención, desconoce los saberes acumulados y pretende remplazarlos por decisiones unipersonales y ante todo desplaza del espectro político y ajedrez operacional, los espacios estratégicos construidos y las autonomías de cada uno de ellos sujetos que hicieron posible el triunfo electoral. La Cuarta transformación sin un sujeto político acoplado a las acciones de gobierno trunca el propósito de cambio social; no altera las coordenadas de la continuidad del modelo neoliberal.

Mulheres Indígenas em Movimentos: Possíveis Articulações entre Gênero e Política1

Resumo A partir de uma aproximação posicionada com determinados movimentos indígenas e com mulheres lideranças indígenas no Brasil tratamos sobre a possibilidade da emergência, no cenário macropolítico do país, do sujeito político mulheres indígenas e sobre as possíveis aproximações de suas pautas com as pautas feministas, em especial, o feminismo pós-colonial. Propomos reflexões sobre as intersecções entre raça/etnia e gênero, dialogando com discursos de diferentes lideranças indígenas que ocupam posição de protagonismo no movimento indígena e ocupam espaços políticos estratégicos como a própria Academia. Atentar-se para estas múltiplas narrativas se torna importante pois estas provocam tensionamentos múltiplos que envolvem não só campos de disputa política por direitos e visibilidade, mas também campos teóricos da antropologia e do feminismo.

Group of high-risk pregnant women as a health education strategy.

To understand the importance of group strategy in the process of nursing care to high-risk pregnant women. Qualitative and descriptive study conducted at Assis Chateaubriand Teaching Maternity Hospital in February-March 2017, through focus groups with 24 hospitalized pregnant women. Data was submitted to content analysis and the relevant ideas of the discourses were extracted, forming categories. Three thematic categories were constructed: Interactive groups as a space of bond and coexistence, Educational strategy as an approach to good delivery and birthcare practices, Impact of group experience in strengthening the connection between the health team and the pregnant woman. The group of pregnant women is a space of coexistence and bonding that stimulates them to share knowledge and experiences, re-signifying links. The groups promote sharing of experiences, learning and reflection on the possibilities and limitations of the health-disease process, reducing anxiety and contributing to empowerment in decision making. The considerations and suggestions of the pregnant women guided the nurses in the development of the groups, which became strategic spaces of care, acquisition of knowledge and establishment of trust relationships with the nurses, with a consequent impact on the quality of care.

Integrated Urban River Corridors : Spatial design for social-ecological resilience in Bucharest and beyond

The issue of urban resilience concerns a multitude of urban systems and spaces. This thesis focuses on Urban River Corridors (URCs)—that is, urban spaces where the overlap between the urban systems (carrying the ’social-‘) and the river system (carrying the ‘-ecological’) is at the highest intensity—as strategic spaces with a potentially high contribution to urban resilience. The general hypothesis is that with an integrated spatial understanding, planning and design of rivers and the urban fabric surrounding them, cities could become more resilient not just to flood-related disturbances, but to general chronic stresses as well. Hence, the thesis addresses four spatial problems arising from the loss of synergy between the natural dynamics of rivers and the spatial configuration and composition of urban areas that they cross: (1) river-taming operations combined with riverside traffic corridors have weakened the relationship between fluvial geomorphology and urban morphology, transforming rivers into physical barriers; (2) flood-protection measures aiming for resistance to water dynamics have led to a latent flood risk; (3) the capacity of urban rivers to deliver ecosystem services has been diminished; and (4) rationalisations of the river system have reduced the scalar, (and implicitly) social and ecological complexity of urban rivers. Drawing on theories of social-ecological resilience and urban form resilience, on conceptual and analytical tools from spatial morphology and landscape ecology, and on practical experience in urban river design projects, the thesis constructs a theory of social-ecologically integrated Urban River Corridors, in which it proposes a spatial-morphological definition, an assessment framework, and a set of design principles and design instruments. Framed as a transdisciplinary design study, the thesis integrates knowledge from various disciplines dealing with the problematique of urban rivers and employs a design-driven methodology that includes design explorations and design testing in the research process. The case of Bucharest crossed by URC Dâmbovița and URC Colentina is used to contextualise the spatial-morphological definition, and to demonstrate, develop and test the proposed assessment framework, design principles, and design instruments with a distinct set of methods in each of the three parts of the thesis. In addition to a transdisciplinary literature review of URCs, and a historical review of Bucharest’s URCs, Part 1 presents a qualitative data analysis of 22 expert interviews, used to determine the current state of URC Dâmbovița and URC Colentina. Based on four key properties of URCs identified in literature, Part 2 develops an indicator system and a method for the assessment of social-ecological integration. Informed by key problems and potentials identified by the local experts, the assessment framework is then applied on the two URCs of Bucharest. In the last part, design applications, including urban river projects carried out by the author on other rivers and a design workshop in Bucharest, are used to demonstrate and test the design principles through design instruments.

Small towns and rural growth centers as strategic spaces of control in Rwanda’s post-conflict trajectory

ABSTRACTSince the 1994 genocide, the government’s vigorous pursuit of security, development and poverty alleviation has been translated into its strategy for urban development. With urban population growth rates rocketing in the period following the genocide with the return of both new and old caseload refugees, urban security became a critical focal point for the new government, which takes an active role in the planning and managing its urban trajectory to bring about secure and orderly development. Whereas the growth of Kigali has often been studied as a critical site in the context of post-conflict reconstruction and securitization, the dynamics at play in small towns and urbanizing centers have been less in the picture. This paper focuses on the role of small towns and emerging urban centers in the debate on the politics of urbanization in post-conflict settings. It investigates the significance of rapidly growing small towns for development in the post-conflict context of Rwandan society by analysing two cases of emerging urban centers. Presenting small towns and rural growth centers as strategic spaces of control, the paper argues that the process of rural urbanization in Rwanda can be understood as a potentially contested arena of change.

Contemporary interpretation of the meaning and heritage of early 20th century private gardens: From an historical reflection to a future outlook in planning

This article examines the strategic role played by private gardens in meeting societal challenges in urbanized environments in the late 19th-early 20th century. These gardens represented a means to provide food, a healthier living environment and, by implication, improved living conditions for the growing urban population. This strategic role was embedded in spatial and urban planning policies, as exemplified here in two case studies: the residential area Rostorp, Malmö (Sweden) and the region of Flanders (Belgium). With the case studies’ results as starting point their historical narratives were written. These narratives were then confronted and the cases were qualitatively compared to demonstrate how, over time, the idea and materiality of the private garden have created value and meaning. These values include the strengthening of family values, establishing and maintaining social coherence, sense of place and identity, and creating social space which enabled an exchange of knowledge. We argue that these values have been gradually lost over the past half-century, particularly the understanding of private gardens as strategic spaces in which social challenges can be met. Due to lack of documentation, current knowledge of their meaning and heritage is poor. Their physical space is declining through urban densification. We add to the densification debate by arguing the potential for reinvigoration of the private garden and its values, to meet and plan for sustainable urban futures. Based on historical reflections and a presentation of the significance and meaning of private gardens in Belgium and Sweden, the main contributions of this article are general insights on the heritage and meaning of private gardens and a future outlook on the strategic role of private gardens in planning.

Integrated Urban River Corridors

The issue of urban resilience concerns a multitude of urban systems and spaces. This thesis focuses on Urban River Corridors (URCs)—that is, urban spaces where the overlap between the urban systems (carrying the ’social-‘) and the river system (carrying the ‘-ecological’) is at the highest intensity—as strategic spaces with a potentially high contribution to urban resilience. The general hypothesis is that with an integrated spatial understanding, planning and design of rivers and the urban fabric surrounding them, cities could become more resilient not just to flood-related disturbances, but to general chronic stresses as well. Hence, the thesis addresses four spatial problems arising from the loss of synergy between the natural dynamics of rivers and the spatial configuration and composition of urban areas that they cross: (1) river-taming operations combined with riverside traffic corridors have weakened the relationship between fluvial geomorphology and urban morphology, transforming rivers into physical barriers; (2) flood-protection measures aiming for resistance to water dynamics have led to a latent flood risk; (3) the capacity of urban rivers to deliver ecosystem services has been diminished; and (4) rationalisations of the river system have reduced the scalar, (and implicitly) social and ecological complexity of urban rivers. Drawing on theories of social-ecological resilience and urban form resilience, on conceptual and analytical tools from spatial morphology and landscape ecology, and on practical experience in urban river design projects, the thesis constructs a theory of social-ecologically integrated Urban River Corridors, in which it proposes a spatial-morphological definition, an assessment framework, and a set of design principles and design instruments. Framed as a transdisciplinary design study, the thesis integrates knowledge from various disciplines dealing with the problematique of urban rivers and employs a design-driven methodology that includes design explorations and design testing in the research process. The case of Bucharest crossed by URC Dâmbovița and URC Colentina is used to contextualise the spatial-morphological definition, and to demonstrate, develop and test the proposed assessment framework, design principles, and design instruments with a distinct set of methods in each of the three parts of the thesis. In addition to a transdisciplinary literature review of URCs, and a historical review of Bucharest’s URCs, Part 1 presents a qualitative data analysis of 22 expert interviews, used to determine the current state of URC Dâmbovița and URC Colentina. Based on four key properties of URCs identified in the literature, Part 2 develops an indicator system and a method for the assessment of social-ecological integration. Informed by key problems and potentials identified by the local experts, the assessment framework is then applied on the two URCs of Bucharest. In the last part, design applications, including urban river projects carried out by the author on other rivers and a design workshop in Bucharest, are used to demonstrate and test the design principles through design instruments.

CULTURA DE AVALIAÇÃO E EFEITOS DE SUBJETIVAÇÃO NA SAÚDE

O objetivo deste artigo é discutir a relação entre cultura da avaliação e processos de subjetivação, no campo da saúde. Trata-se de um estudo teórico sobre o tema, que trabalha aspectos históricos e conceituais da ascensão da cultura de avaliação nas sociedades contemporâneas, particularmente no setor saúde; e faz uma revisão analítica dos argumentos que circunscrevem as controvérsias que os temas da avaliação e subjetividade têm suscitado na saúde pública e fora dela, em diálogo com as contribuições de Foucault. A literatura nacional do setor da saúde é mais receptiva do que a literatura internacional nas ciências humanas. A interpretação mais corrente, em geral, é que a avaliação é um dos instrumentos de governo ou de gestão. A maior crítica é que levaria os trabalhadores a se preocuparem apenas com o que está colocado pelos indicadores, abdicando de uma interpretação mais ampliada da própria atividade. Há uma compreensão comum de que as práticas avaliativas têm por objetivo produzir mudanças subjetivas, mas também produzem efeitos subjetivos não previstos. Quanto ao desenho desses efeitos de subjetivação, há largo espectro de pontos de vista, que vão desde o fomento a subjetivações comprometidas com a mudança permanente, ao constrangimento da subjetividade e à produção dos “eus calculáveis”. Acompanhando o pensamento de Foucault, podemos reconhecer tanto efeitos de submetimento, quanto efeitos de protagonismo no uso da avaliação. O segundo caso pode levar ao aperfeiçoamento autogerido dos processos de trabalho ou à criação de espaços estratégicos nas relações de poder.

Mendel in the C-Suite: Design and the Evolution of Strategies

A “Mendelian” executive is proposed as an image of strategy making that lies intermediate between the godlike powers of intentional design of rational choice approaches and a Darwinian process of random variation and market-based differential selection. The Mendelian executive is capable of intentional design efforts in order to explore possible adjacent strategic spaces. Furthermore, the argument developed here highlights the role of intentionality with respect to the selection and culling of strategic initiatives. The firm is viewed as operating an “artificial selection” environment in contrast to selection as the direct consequence of the outcome of competitive processes. Examining the nature of the processes generating these experimental variants and the bases of internal selection, and how these selection criteria may themselves change, is argued to be central to the formation of strategy in dynamic competitive environments.

Urban Conservation in Jakarta since 1968

Since independence in 1945, Jakarta transformed gradually from a colonial into a modern city. New areas and new buildings were developed to fulfil urgent needs in housing, shops, schools and other facilities as the population growing rapidly after the war. All were executed without city planning until the Outline Plan of Jakarta was published in 1957. Later on, the Outline Plan was mostly adapted into the Master Plan 1965-1985. Governor Ali Sadikin (1966-1977), with the Master Plan 1965-1985 in his hands, brought new approaches to modernize the capital city. But new developments needed strategic spaces and gave pressure to old city centre and historic buildings. Old buildings were unfortunately abandoned, ruined, or even demolished for some reasons. By 1968, Jakarta had been changed dramatically. At the very crucial time, Ali Sadikin realized that something had to be done: there should be a creative equilibrium between the old and the new. After some trips to Europe and USA he believed that Jakarta had an obligation to conserve its historical assets in the name of history and civilization. In 1968 he established Jakarta Department of Museum and History. From that moment, Jakarta’s urban conservation program is started. A version of this paper was delivered as part of SEAMEO SPAFA’s Capital’s Archaeology Lecture Series on 23 May 2017 at the Siam Society, Bangkok. The lecture can be viewed here: http://bit.ly/2zds9KS. This paper has been peer-reviewed.

Translanguaging and positioning in two-way dual language classrooms: a case for criticality

ABSTRACTThis article examines the role of translanguaging practices and pedagogies in two-way dual language classrooms. Much of the recent expansion of dual language programs across the US has occurred in mid-sized cities and rural communities where English monolingualism is the norm; however, the extant literature on flexible language practices in bilingual learning spaces has largely ignored the implications of translanguaging in these contexts. This case study of a Midwestern dual language classroom provides evidence that flexible language practices can both bolster and hinder the aims of two-way programs. Drawing from these findings, I argue for the creation of a critical translanguaging space, a sociolinguistic learning environment that interrogates micro- and macro-level power flows in the classroom and establishes strategic spaces for language use.

The politics of urban climate risks: theoretical and empirical lessons from Ulrich Beck’s methodological cosmopolitanism

In the face of global climate risks, world cities increasingly figure in academic and policy discourse as strategic spaces for harnessing the expertise and governance capacity needed to steer societies toward more sustainable and low-carbon futures. This article reviews existing approaches to the study of urban climate politics, by way of asking what contribution Ulrich Beck’s theory of world risk society – and principles of methodological cosmopolitanism – make to such epochal conversations? Three main analytical frameworks stand out: low-carbon transition literature highlight generic processes of socio-technical ‘greening’ of urban infrastructures; urban policy mobility work documents growing intercity networks around climate and sustainability; and actor–network theory-informed takes on urban controversies engage the localized politics of specific city-based ‘riskscapes’. While each framework makes valuable contributions, this article suggests that all of them remain under-theorized from the point of view of the specific dynamics of local–global interdependencies in urban climate risk politics. In response, the article draws on Beck in outlining the contours of new urban–cosmopolitan risk communities. To this effect, empirical studies into large-scale East Asian and European port cities is used to illustrate how a shared transnational risk imaginary (e.g. of future sea-level rises) may help spur collective action and new forms of trans-boundary solidarity. Reflecting on such research practices, the article ends by pointing to the need for reworking methods of (multi-sited) ethnography and comparison as central parts of realizing Ulrich Beck’s cosmopolitan sociology in the domain of urban climate risks.

A construção dos Fóruns de supervisão de estágio em serviço social

Resumo: Este artigo apresenta reflexões acerca da construção e fortalecimento dos Fóruns de Supervisão de Estágio como espaços político-formativos de interlocução, articulação, resistência e luta do Serviço Social brasileiro em defesa de uma formação crítica, pública, laica, presencial, democrática e de qualidade. Aborda o Fórum como um dos espaços estratégicos de organização e participação política da categoria, que contribui para o processo de formação continuada e de debates sobre estágio supervisionado. Com base em dados obtidos nos Fóruns realizados na regional centro-oeste, 2013-2014, são apresentados impasses e desafios para a consolidação dos fóruns, sinalizando a necessidade de estratégias coletivas, diante das adversidades postas na contemporaneidade que incidem na formação e exercício profissional.

Huánuco Pampa: Centro administrativo estratégico del Estado Imperial de los Incas

El presente artículo destaca cómo los incas organizaban y planificaban espacios estratégicos con fines políticos, económicos, religiosos, militares y urbanísticos. El gran complejo arqueológico de Huánuco Pampa constituye uno de los más prominentes centros administrativos del Estado Imperial de los Incas. Su planificación espacial, en una extensa planicie andina situada en la región Huánuco, a 3800 msnm, evidencia su esmerado funcionamiento, donde se realizaban rituales y ceremonias religiosas, la acumulación y redistribución de víveres almacenados en centenares de colcas o depósitos de víveres (Fig. 1), edificios con fines militares llamados kallancas (fig. 7) y poderosos medios de afirmación de poder y hegemonía expansiva.

Medicinal plants sold at traditional markets in southern Ecuador.

BackgroundThe traditional markets in southern Ecuador and within the Andean region are especially important for plant resource trading among local people, even since before Spanish colonization; therefore, ethnobotanical studies are currently necessary and important. These strategic spaces persist for the traditional medicine cultural value reflected in the higher consumption of medicinal plants, which span all socioeconomic levels of rural and urban people. The purpose of this study includes the following: 1) to create a novel list of medicinal plants sold at 33 traditional markets; 2) to establish medicinal plant use agreement amongst vendors with the Factor of Informant Consensus (FIC); and 3) to determine the most sold medicinal plant species using the Fidelity Level (FL).MethodsThis study focus on traditional markets ethnobotany utilizes the largest sample of medicinal plants market vendors up to date in Ecuador, interviewing them at 33 traditional markets, located within the Loja province. In order to determine the most sold medicinal plants and their ethnobotanical information, structured questionnaires and personal conversations were conducted with 196 medicinal plant vendors, and voucher specimens were created. Agreement among vendors about the therapeutic use of medicinal plants was measured using the FIC, and the most sold medicinal plant species were assessed with the FL.Results and discussionThis research registered 160 medicinal plant species, grouped in 126 genera and 57 families that were sold in 33 traditional markets. The uses of medicinal plants in southern Ecuador are related to a long history of traditional medicine health practices that has persisted until today as well as high plant diversity. The 53 therapeutic uses recorded were grouped into 12 medical categories that were adapted from the World Health Organization. Three medical categories shared the highest value for FIC = 0.92, which showed a high level of agreement of market vendors for 57 medicinal plant species sold to treat ailments related with digestive, dermatological, and sensorial systems. The FL index determined 11 culturally important medicinal plant species based on the reported uses by 40 or more market vendors. Two medicinal plant species had an FL = 100 %, Matricaria recutita and Gaiadendrum punctatum, used to treat digestive and respiratory systems ailments.ConclusionsIn the Loja province, people continue to consume medicinal plant species sold at local markets to treat somatic and/or psychosomatic health ailments because sociocultural customs are strongly expressed in ancestral practices of wellbeing. When the largest values of FL (60.5 %–100 %) and FIC (0.81–0.92) indexes are combined, they demonstrated agreement among 196 market vendors in the use of seven medicinal plant species that were most sold for the 12 medical categories. This study stresses how important public policies are for the trade and quality of medicinal plant resources, particularly for local people practicing auto-medication. Reasons for the maintenance of traditional markets in southern Ecuador include lower cost of medicinal plants, confidence in traditional medicine, and/or sociocultural environment. In Ecuador, the sustainable management of wild medicinal plants diversity, particularly the most sold, is crucial for its conservation in nature.

The Anglo-American Connection: Examining the Intersection of Nationality with Class, Gender, and Race in the James Bond Films

James Bond/007 is a popular cultural icon of British identity. Working as a secret agent for the British organization MI6, Bond travels the world on missions and acts in the best interest of his country to safeguard its geopolitical interests.1 While he can and does harbor doubts about these missions, he is nonetheless depicted as a loyal agent serving Queen and Country, as Domino Derval remarks in Thunderhall (Terence Young 1965). Although Bond operates as a solo agent and is not assigned a regular 00 partner, he often works opportunistically with those he encounters in the field, and more routinely with other non-British agents, collaborating frequently with American allies. These relationships, both opportunistic and planned, are crucial to mission success and have been seen by many scholars and fans as indicative of the changing contours of the post-1945 geopolitical world, and the Anglo-American relationship.In the Eon/United Artists Bond films, these American characters usually work for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and represent American geopolitical interests, such as furthering regional hegemony in strategic spaces such as the Arctic, the Caribbean, East Asia, and even outer space. According to the historian Jeremy Black and author of the Politics of James Bond, support for the United States [was] central to British policy during the cold war [and] is important to Bond's in the films (Black 94). The depiction of Bond working with American allies not only helps to connect the common geopolitical interests of Britain with America vis-a-vis the challenges posed by China, Russia, and nonstate entities such as SPECTRE, but it also serves as a way to attract American filmgoers to the films (Bennett and Woollacott 29). Even the choice to cast Sean Connery over David Niven for the role of Bond in Dr. No (Terence Young 1962) was judged a commercial necessity. Producer Albert R. Broccoli felt that Niven was too English for the part and envisioned for Bond a more midAtlantic image with a tougher persona that would appeal to both British and American audiences.2 Not only did the films rely on the United States as a primary market, but the films themselves were strongly shaped by American creative personnel like Broccoli and screenwriter Richard Maibaum. Without United Artists underwriting the earliest Bond films, the franchise would never have developed in the manner that it did.3This article considers the representation and geopolitical significance of Bond's American allies to better understand how Anglo-American geopolitical interests are refracted across the different eras of the franchise. The intersection of nationality with class, gender, and race shapes the reading of American characters and informs the nature of their relationships with Bond. A number of recurring characters and character types appear across the franchise including Felix Leiter, a variety of American Bond Girls, and a handful of minor figures like J.W. Pepper and Jack Wade. But those intersections, however important, are not sufficient in their own right. Bond's repeated demonstration of what he can do, touch, and feel also matters to the relationship. His ability to connect is what makes the relationship special with his American allies-he can push the button at the right moment, seduce a key informant, and sense danger that others cannot. So while Bond may be the junior partner operating in a Cold War geopolitical climate dominated by the United States, it is his personal intuition, touch, and movement that allows him to connect with people, objects and sites/spaces, and thus emerge as a dominant/superior figure.The Connery Era ( 1962-67, 1971): Establishing the AngloAmerican ConnectionThe Anglo-American connection was established in the Connery era through the pairing of Bond with a male CIA operative. Felix Leiter is the best-known American ally of Bond and a close friend who appears in ten films across the franchise. …

Institutions for Civic Technoscience: How Critical Making is Transforming Environmental Research

This article explores the changing relationship between the academy and new public formations of scientific research, which we term “civic technoscience.” Civic technoscience leverages tactics seen in critical making communities to question and transform how and who can make credible and actionable knowledge. A comparison of two case studies is used. The first is a grassroots mapping process that allows communities to generate high-quality aerial imagery. The second is an academic-led project using environmental sensors to engage disparate audiences in scientific practice. These two projects were found to differ in their ability to form strategic spaces for community-based science, and suggest pathways to foster more robust relationships across the public–academic divide. By altering power dynamics in material, literary, and social technologies used for scientific research, we argue that civic technoscience enables citizens to question expert knowledge production through critical making tactics, and creates opportunities to generate credible public science.

Multi-objective optimisation design of passive suspension parameters based on competition-cooperation game model

The primary function of a vehicle suspension system is to isolate the road excitations experienced by tires. In this paper, the competition-cooperation game method is applied to optimise a linear vehicle suspension model with eight degrees of freedom. Considering road surface damage and ride comfort, using the stiffness and damping of seat and suspension systems as design variables, and using the seat acceleration root-mean-square, tire’s relative dynamic load and suspension’s maxim dynamic stroke as objective functions, a competitive and cooperative game design model is established, and the optimal methods are presented. By calculating the influence of the design variables on the objective functions and fuzzy clustering, the design variables are divided into different strategic spaces owned by each player. Based on the competitive and cooperative game model, each game player uses its payoff as a mono-objective to optimise its own strategic spaces and obtains the best strategy to address the others. All the best strategies are combined into a game strategy set. Compared with fuzzy optimisation and initial design, the results show that ride comfort, road surface damage, and suspension dynamic travel are improved.

Facets of Organizational Social Capital: How Network Renovation is Key to Favorable Strategic Space

This paper studies the effect of organizational social capital on structural change in the context of socio-economic networks. In a networked economic system, organizational social capital is the outcome of a dynamic process; the effect of this process on firm performance is contingent on the management of structural change in the network. To further this argument, the paper proposes a process model and explains how variation in network renovation leads firms to dissimilar posterior positions with different performance implications even with congruous antecedent social capital. Subsequently, the paper discusses four such posterior positions; these positions are termed as strategic spaces. Strategic spaces are primarily organizational and network conditions which constrain or enhance the scope of structural position as well as relational content of a firm in a socio-economic network. These strategic spaces are outcome of the fit between the expectations of network members (termed as 'structural expectations') and the firm's capability. While explaining this fit, this paper synthesizes the structural perspective of social capital with the individualist perspective. In concluding, the paper discusses the performance implications of such strategic spaces.