How marginalised women subvert space as survival strategy in London/Nairobi

About the Talk

In this talk I present two research projects in which I examined a range of ever-shifting socio-spatial strategies adopted by women in order to secure a host of invisible and surprising spatial services in resource-scarce environments. I contrast two very different contexts: a highly sensitive food-market in Newham, London, and the protean, richly-textured environment of informal settlements in Mathare, Nairobi. In both these examples I outline ways in which a combined qualitative and quantitative approach helped illuminate otherwise invisible socio-spatial dynamics, complex strategies, and inherent points of leverage afforded by typological possibility (grain, scale and connectivity). I discuss some practical applications of this research as they translate to real-life design considerations — both formal and informal — as well as some implications for gendered dimensions of city making in contexts where space is a highly-contested resource for survival.

About the Speaker

Anthropologist and urban designer Dr Maayan Matz Ashkenazi specialises in psycho-social dimensions of space with a particular focus on health and wellbeing. Before setting up as an independent consultant she established the role of Anthropologist-Urban Designer at the international studio Foster+Partners. With largely public-sector clients including the GLA, Network Rail, the NHS and numerous London Boroughs, her work combines quantitative, ethnographic and participatory research methods with spatial design expertise in place-based strategic, design and infrastructural interventions. She trained at the University of Cambridge, UCL, and received her PhD from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She has taught, guest lectured and served as a visiting critic on various Masters courses including Confluence, Paris, the Royal College of Art, LSHTM, and Camberwell College of Arts. She sits on a number of design review panels in London and across the UK; was appointed to the UK’s High Streets Task Force; and is a frequently invited public speaker on the topic of relations-centred design.

Also check out other Arts events in London, Health & Wellness events in London, Workshops in London.