1 minute read
Lauren Elkin, Flaneuse (London: Penguin, 2017), p. 3
Methodology
Walking and Wandering as a Method to Understand the Streetscapes
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It is essential for architects to understand how cities work and, more importantly, how people use them. Walking is one method by which we can do this—allowing us to spend time in a place and 51 observe in a way not possible by other modes of transport. Designing great cities begins with understanding existing qualities and deficiencies of urban life and working with them. The research method for this study will be to complete two walking routes. The first will be a predefined route through Sheffield—from the area of Crookes along West Street and East to the train station (Figure 8). The second will be a wandering route around Sheffield city centre— following a method used by Robert MacFarlane of placing a circle on a map and following it as closely as possible. This technique, while offering an effective method of discovering new parts of the city, can also pose a danger to women due to the unpredictability of the city and the potential to encounter dangerous scenarios. Using these two methods will help to gain an understanding of the differences between essential routes and wandered routes, how each can create a different perception of cities, and how wandering could offer a more holistic view of the cities we design for. Both routes will be walked twice; once in the day-time and once at night. These two conditions are important to understand. They change one's experiences of an environment and the urban realm must function in such a way that all these factors are accounted for. Women have a right to the city—day and night.
Along the intended route from Crookes to the train station I instinctively know what to look out for. It is often rushed in an attempt to reach my destination on time. I will try to take more time to understand the area. The wandering route will be challenging as I think I will be very preoccupied with keeping myself safe.
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Figure 8: Map showing two routes through Sheffield by author
