Complexity Maps

QUESTIONS:

Who are the different groups of people who use and/or own this place? What different uses do they make of the space? What completing needs and requiremetns do they have? What are their aims, wishes and desires? Are the concepts of ownership or stakeholders the right way to change the area? How can we visualise these power relations?

METHOD:

1. COLLECT: get an insight into the aims and desires of the “actors” that shape this particular space

2. VISUALISE: visualise the network shaping the dynamics of the space

3. ANALYSE: use the visualisation to identify identify under-used potential and weak points

4. PROPOSE: identify key-stakeholders that allow residents and users to alter future plans

(Note that 2&3 are an iterative loop)

SUGGESTIONS:

Try and get hold of some demographic data for the area by contacting the local government. Try and work out the exact legal ownership of the plots of land. Get in touch with the allotments organisation. Try and bring all stakeholders together for a physical meeting to discuss their agendas.

OUTCOMES:

A final visualisation that:

1 Gives an insight into your process

2 Communicates your insights clearly to our project partner as well as the local residents and a broader intersted audience