Moving Forward

Following the pilot studies, conducted in Manchester last week, attention now turns back to Fenton. On Friday, during a Studio Tutorial we reviewed our mapping methodologies, refined it and the developed a strategy for documenting Fenton.

1. Review of discussion with studio tutors.

The first stage involved a discussion with our studio tutors, reviewing the pilot studies and what data was collected. This discussion continued amongst the group and a few key methodologies emerged, including the desire to develop a form of 'tick sheet' or survey that could be carried out along a route in Fenton. The intention would then be to 'graft' this data onto two-dimensional (in the form of plans and sections) and three-dimensional 'segments' of the route.

2. Key themes each group member wanted to pursue.

However, the exact nature of the study (what data would be collected) was less clear and as such the group went 'back to first principles' and identified the key topics that each member was interested in studying. Areas of similarity and cross over were quickly identified and a condensed set of key themes emerged: Perception, Infrastructure, Control, Regulation, and Scale.

3. Key themes and looking for connections.

The next stage involved identifying a loose research question or statement. The key themes were also further explored as was the idea of 'reduction' and how this could be applied to the themes and data collected. At this stage the notion of layering became prominent, with the intention to collect a wealth of data that could be layered to reveal new or previously hidden relationships.

4. Developing relationships between key themes.

In attempting to define a methodology to reveal the latent characteristics of a place (through the layering of different datasets) the idea of performance was also important, how does space perform?

5. Exploring planning policy relevant to Stoke-on-Trent.

The group then took a sideways step and began discussing current policy that is affecting the wider urban area of stoke-on-Trent, particularly planning policy. Research into Local Development Frameworks for Stoke revealed that Fenton lies at the boundary of two strategic areas of the city: the Inner Urban Core and the Outer Urban Area. It also revealed a proposal in which a future Stoke was defined as the following: a Healthier City; a Learning City; a Wealthier City; a Strong Sense of Community; a Safer City; and a Green City.

6. Mapping the key themes and relevant policy areas.

These six categories provide an interesting lens through which to study the Fenton area. If the intention is to improve Stoke in relation to these characteristics then it is possible to assess the current urban fabric in relation to these categories. Using the previously mentioned tools of tick sheets and surveys the intention is to document a route through Fenton in terms of these six categories. This data will then be grafted onto a three dimensional scaffolding that may reveal particular physical characteristics in the urban form that lend themselves to these categories. Concurrently a study of the 'perceived' Fenton will be carried out, using the same categories, which will enable the group to draw comparisons. There is also the potential to draw comparisons with idealised models.