imagesofresearch
Community Involvement and Place Transformation by Matthew Alexander (Marketing) “A railway station mirrors the soul of the place where it is located” (Kopperud, 1998)
Our research explored ‘Adopt A Station’, a partnership between First ScotRail and groups who ‘adopt’ local railway stations. The scheme allows community members to utilize unused station spaces to provide services or facility improvements that benefit the community. Over 100 stations have been adopted with projects including gardening, charity bookshops, cafes, galleries and heritage centres.
Our study included station visits, interviews and observation and offers a contrast to notions of placelessness by highlighting how placefullness can be achieved through community involvement. Through community involvement and passion redundant spaces are resurrected and imbued with new meaning. The financial crisis saw a decline to the high street with shops and other community places forced to close. Our research highlights the impact of consumers when they demonstrate resilience to market forces, regaining control of their community from within.
Image: © 2013 Matthew Alexander. Kathy Hamilton
Community Involvement and Place Transformation by Matthew Alexander (Marketing) “A railway station mirrors the soul of the place where it is located” (Kopperud, 1998)
Our research explored ‘Adopt A Station’, a partnership between First ScotRail and groups who ‘adopt’ local railway stations. The scheme allows community members to utilize unused station spaces to provide services or facility improvements that benefit the community. Over 100 stations have been adopted with projects including gardening, charity bookshops, cafes, galleries and heritage centres.
Our study included station visits, interviews and observation and offers a contrast to notions of placelessness by highlighting how placefullness can be achieved through community involvement. Through community involvement and passion redundant spaces are resurrected and imbued with new meaning. The financial crisis saw a decline to the high street with shops and other community places forced to close. Our research highlights the impact of consumers when they demonstrate resilience to market forces, regaining control of their community from within.
Image: © 2013 Matthew Alexander. Kathy Hamilton