Citizenship in action: participatory urban visualization in contested urban space

Abstract

This paper derives from the experience of a community-based university course that uses visualization and on-site methods to explore participatory imagination and imaging of urban spaces. Participatory urban visualization is a platform for discourse. It allows local residents to become involved in thinking the future of their locality, thereby activating their urban citizenship. The paper starts with a discussion of urban space and citizenship, and explores the potential of urban visualization and participation. The second part of the paper explains the context of Haifa, the ethno-nationally contested city in which the course is held, and presents two case studies. It identifies collaborative professional methodologies and techniques, and stresses participatory visualization as a vehicle for promoting communal sense of place and urban identity.

Notes

1. The term ‘Arab-Israelis’ or ‘Arabs’, as used in Israeli discourse, refers to the Palestinian citizens of the state of Israel. This paper uses ‘Arabs' and ‘Palestinians' interchangeably, in order not to reify any specific title and to draw attention to the shifting and contextual character of identity.

2. A growing Israeli-Palestinian population living in other cities, such a Karmiel, Afula and Beer Sheva, is not accounted for and its needs are not addressed in terms of designated services and amenities.

3. Although the official estimate of the Arab population of Haifa is about 10% (Haifa Municipality 2015) the unofficial estimate is about 20%, due to residents who retain their official addresses in their Arab hometowns.

4. Reflection has been inherent to cultural analysis in anthropology (Saltzman 2002). Scholars have emphasized the importance of acknowledging their own social position in relation to their theoretical claims (Abu-Lughod 2006) as well as the social standing and identity of both the researched and the researcher (Yaron 2010).

5. For a further discussion of the reflexivity adopted by the course, see Kallus and Shamur (2015).

6. For the term ‘Arab-Israeli’ see note 1.

7. Jane’s Walk is a worldwide movement of free walking tours named after urban activist and writer Jane Jacobs. The walks get people to tell stories about their communities, explore their cities, and connect with neighbours. 

8. Shatil is the New Israel Fund’s Initiative for Social Change working to build civil society and promote democracy, tolerance and social justice in Israel.

9. The course has been offered four times since 2008 and so far has included 15 different projects.