Case Studies
We are currently participating as action researchers in three very different autonomous space projects in the UK outlined below. You can find much more information about the background to each case study and the work we have undertaken so far by clicking on the headings below.
Here we are exploring autonomous resistance to housing privatisation and gentrification in Little London, an inner-city estate in Leeds, England. Since 2001, local residents have been fighting the council’s efforts to push through a regeneration scheme using the controversial Private Finance Initiative (PFI).
2. Social Centres: Resisting, Creating and Embedding Alternatives
This is about moving from community resistance to creating autonomous spaces that help to facilitate the exchange, development and praxis of alternatives to capitalism. We have been documenting the progress of activists attempting to launch a new social centre in Newcastle and developing important insights into the struggle for radical space.
3. Sustainable Living and Living Autonomously: the Lammas Low Impact Settlement Project
The final study examines the practicalities of trying to live autonomously using examples of Low Impact Developments, such as Lammas in South West Wales. The ways in which autonomous sustainable living can be practiced with regards to land, housing, food, and energy help us further understand what has been achieved and what is possible.
Latest News
The Right to Stay Put, Aug 09
On 28-29 August 2009 in Manchester, activist geographers from around the world will share experiences, insights and methods in relation to defending people’s ‘right to stay put’ and resisting gentrification, displacement and privatisation as part of urban regeneration schemes.
Lammas tries again, Nov 08
‘Third time lucky’ was Lammas’ motto as they resubmitted their planning application in November 2008. Despite being beleaguered by Byzantine bureaucratic bungling the group remain committed to developing nine eco-smallholdings and a community hub building on their first site in Pembs, Wales and the land purchase is going ahead.
NEW BOOK on Low Impact Development
A new book on Low Impact Development has just been published. Edited by Jenny Pickerill and Larch Maxey, with contributions from Simon Fairlie, Tony Wrench, Simon Dale and many more, Low Impact Development: The Future in our Hands explores the radical form of sustainable housing and livelihood in tune with the natural environment and offering innovative solutions for the environmental, social and economic challenges of the 21st century.
Engaging Geographies Seminar Series
Engaging Geography is a seminar series (funded by the Economic and Social Research Council) that aims to explore and respond to key challenges facing geography in 2008 and beyond. Our first seminar will be held on Friday and Saturday January 23rd and 24th, 2009 at the Star and Shadow Cinema in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK (see www.starandshadow.org.uk ): ‘How did that happen?’ The creation of time and space for public geographies.
'Teach In' On the Credit Crisis, 18 Nov 08
University of Leeds, Rupert Beckett Lecture Theatre, 6-8pm.
The teach-in will examine the origins of the credit crisis and why it has become so severe; the policies now being pursued nationally and internationally; and the long-term economic and political implications, particularly in relation to financial regulation and global governance.
Jobs at Permaculture Association
The Permaculture Association (Britain) is a small education and research charity that supports individuals and groups to learn more about the theory and practice of permaculture. It is currently advertising two vacancies for a Project Coordinator and Finance Clerk at its Leeds office. Closing date: 27 June 2008. More information can be downloaded from its website
Free Hicham Yezza!
A former PhD student and current employee Nottingham University faces deportation to Algeria on 1 June following his unjust arrest under the Terrorism Act 2000 after he printed an Al Qaeda manual as a favour for a research student. Read on and see the Free Hicham Yezza campaign.
New Social Centres Book
A new book has been published bringing together the diverse stories about many of the UK’s social centres, along with thoughts on their effectiveness, the problems they encounter, and the political ideas they encapsulate. What’s this place? has been written by activists involved in social centres with support from the Autonomous Geographies project.
Living In The Future Film
Undercurrents have released the latest episode of their video series ‘Living in the Future’ about Lammas and many other ecovillage type projects around the world. Living in the Future highlights how people have come together to build their own homes, grow their own food, and create lively and sustainable communities.
Transition Town Movement
Rob Hopkins has recently released his new book “The Transition Handbook”. For an excellent review of this book by Robert Morgan and a video clip from Caroline Lucas MEP about the transition town movement and the new book, visit: transitionculture.org