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
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
Lammas re-submit ecovillage proposal
Lammas have resubmitted their proposal to build an mutually-owned ecovillage in Wales which combines the traditional smallholding model with the latest innovations in environmental design, green technology and permaculture. Construction is planned to start in the autumn of 2008 and they are asking for support. See http://www.lammas.org.uk/ecovillage/proposal.htm
Slave Trade Event in Leeds, 17 May 08
On Sat 17 May at Leeds Metropolitan University (10-5pm), Anti-Slavery International is holding an all day workshop in Leeds on the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The event will offer free resources, training and networking beyond the Bicentenary. Click the title for more info…
The Global Blood Trade, 28 April 08
On Mon 28 April (5.15pm in School of Geography, Leeds), Carol Grayson will give a seminar on the ‘Global Blood Trade and its Victims’. Grayson’s MA thesis was a major force in getting an independent Public Inquiry on the issue of contaminated blood in the NHS. She will talk about how blood has become a lucrative globalised commodity, the dire implications for patients’ welfare, and the campaigns fighting for justice.
Transition City Leeds - 19 April 08
On Saturday 19th April (10am until 5pm), the Transition City network will be holding a free one day workshop exploring how Leeds well be affected by climate change and the end of cheap oil, and how we can build a positive, low carbon future for Leeds. Lunch and refreshments provided, child friendly event, but no crèche facilities. No need to book, come for all or part of the day
http://transition-city-leeds.wikispaces.com/
Zizek in Leeds!
The (in)famous cultural theorist, Slavoj Žižek, is coming to Leeds on Tuesday 18 March (5.30-8pm, University of Leeds). Referred to as the “Elvis of Cultural Theory” and “The Marx Brother” he charismatically and provocatively examines popular culture using the unlikely pairing of German idealist philosophy and French psychoanalysis. On Tuesday March 18th, he is talking at the University of Leeds about his latest book Violence. Admission to the event is free. Click the heading for more details.