Site Content
MIGRATION
Some seas – the Adriatic, Mediterranean and North (English Channel) – have taken on a new identity, in that they are now used as routes across which people seek to escape from persecution, find asylum or improve their economic condition. The adopted means of travel is often dangerous – in overcrowded ( small or large ) boats – whose condition often places them at risk of foundering or sinking. The scale upon which this human movement is growing – evidences that the problems to be addressed are now not just international but global in nature.
Site Content
Site Content
CITIES & MENTAL HEALTH
In historically recent times people have increasingly migrated from rural areas to cities. They have done so because large gatherings of people in one place normally provides better economic and social opportunities for all – this, in turn, can offer an improved quality of living. Many who move from rural to urban settings often leave behind them social networks or family – this being what provided a ‘sense of place’. Replacing this – in a city – can be difficult. Friendships can take time to establish – may be transitory – people move around – contacts are lost – and a ‘sense of place’ can become a shifting reality – uncertain and sometimes difficult to focus upon.
However – although it is certain that city living can contribute to positive ‘well being’ – it can, for some, have a negative impact. It is now generally accepted that cities are associated with higher rates of mental health problems than those evident in rural areas.
Cities provide stimuli – created by the movement of people, the ‘hustle & bustle’ , noise & interaction – for most it is an energising experience – for others it can bring ‘overload’ and a gradual inability to ‘cope’.
Site Content
Site Content
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
GROWTH CONGESTION BOTTLENECK
CONTROLLED ZONE COMMUTER
HIGH DENSITY GREEN SPACE
RECREATION PUBLIC TRANSPORT
PARKING RESTRICTIONS LOW DENSITY
LIVEABLE SPACE MOVEMENT
INTERSECTION SOCIAL HOUSING
PLANNING SURVEY OUTREACH
REPRESENTATION COMMITTEE
SERVICES INFRASTRUCTURE HOUSING
TARGET NO ENTRY ONE WAY
ROUNDABOUT STATIONS SUBWAY
CROSS RAIL PASSENGERS QUOTA
CUL DE SAC PERMIT PASS HIGH RISE
ROUTE PASSAGE WAY UNDERGROUND
LIFT ESCALATOR OPEN SPACE RIBBON
TUNNEL BRIDGE OVERSPILL SUBURB
BLOCK BUNGALOW TOWER CIRCULAR
LIGHTING TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW
DETACHED SHELTERED INCLUSIVE
PROJECTION APPROVED RESTRICTED
POLLUTION COLLECTION DELIVERY
SUBSISTENCE NEIGHBOURHOOD
COMMUNITY FORUM TOWN HALL
CAR PARK RATES TAX DRIVEWAY
Site Content
Site Content
PANDEMIC
The pandemic has had a major impact upon society – enforcing changes in how individuals and groups can interact. ‘Lockdown’ brought restrictions upon the meeting or movement of people, locally and nationally. ‘Self isolation’ impacted upon neighbourhoods. ‘Masks’ became obligatory and strengthened a growing sense of ‘withdrawal’ from normal social contact.
Politicians and media – on a regular basis – reported upon levels of hospitalisation or death and appeared to fuel, in some, a nervous over-reaction.
As time passed – most enclosed spaces with fitted with plastic shields or barriers – further altering normal levels of contact and in some cases, introducing a new form of ‘gesture’ communication.
Although society in general accepts that the pandemic is being ‘managed’ – it’s long term impact has yet to be clarified or understood. For some it has brought depression – a drastic change in life style and mental health problems.
Site Content
Site Content
CONFLICT (UKRAINE)
Any open, armed conflict between two or more nations or states – normally results in broken lives and destroyed towns and cities. Those directly involved as combatants experience physical or mental injury – but the larger populace – be they young or old – are unavoidably drawn into contact with the ‘side effects’ of a war.
These effects can include rumour – that corrodes one’s well being – enforced confinement, displacement or evacuation – along with the erasure of normality.
They also bring with them the imposition of curfew, recruitment or rationing – propaganda and the editing of reality – a fog of apprehension or misunderstanding that breeds prejudice towards not only the enemy but others, who may also have been caught up within the spread of conflict and become refugees.
Ukraine is currently learning to live with such a situation and also, in some areas, having to respond to the demands of an invading state that seeks to ‘free’, indoctrinate and ‘re-educate’.
Such tactics are used in order to erode ‘identity’ – to help enforce a change in the established social and cultural systems – to overcome any ‘silent’ resistance and enforce ‘acceptance’.
Site Content
