3.1. Mapping skateparks

3. Research Methodology

This chapter explains the research methods applied for mapping the spatial practices of the skatepark users and the further identification of a potential connection between them. Space syntax tools (Hillier & Hanson, 1984) in combination with social network analysis (Hannerman and Riddle, 2005) were the main tools used to structure this section.

The methodology was established through a pilot in four skateparks, one of them located in the city’s Southbank core and the three others in London’s Zone 2: the Undercroft, Stockwell, Clapham Common and Mile End. The pilot consisted of asking eight people in each park to fill out a survey (Appendix 1), which asked them their age, gender, which other skateparks they visited and what they would improve in terms of the skatepark infrastructure. This test was used to start tracing the spatial network of practice of London’s skaters with the initial information provided by 32 skatepark users.

3.1. Mapping skateparks

The use of the data recorded by Londonskateparks, a British skateboarders organisation which maps and promotes the sport online, in combination with Google Earth observation of the skateparks’ infrastructure, was the main source used to map 61 skateparks around the Greater London area and one in the Netherlands. (Londonskateparks.co.uk, 2018).

The skateparks were categorised into six infrastructure types: two bowl categories, three ramp categories and one referring to a concrete park. The first type was divided into bowl locations, and bowl and parks locations (bowls, flatlands, benches, railings). The second locations were divided according to the ramps’ material (concrete, metal and wood). The third were spot locations, flatlands, benches and railings.

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