Small-Scale Events and Everyday Multiculture in Finsbury Park

Through a case study of Finsbury Park in North London, this thesis explores public parks' role as sites for informal events and daily inter-ethnic interactions, investigating their potential to challenge or reinforce racial prejudices and hierarchies. Using an original interdisciplinary approach, the research combines computational spatial analysis with ethnographic methods to investigate the interplay among spatial configurations of the park, local management initiatives, and day-to-day social practices in shaping responses to racial differences. The research employs a longitudinal mixed-methods design spanning from April 2021 to December 2023, utilising temporal-spatial occupancy maps generated through ArcGIS, cognitive mappings undertaken by the participants, and traditional ethnographic methods. The longitudinal nature of this project allows for a comprehensive analysis of trends pertaining to park use, informal events, and spontaneous, convivial interactions. Moored in intersectionality principles and race theory, this thesis reveals how the diverse spatial configurations and casual encounters in Finsbury Park act as stimuli for conviviality. It distinguishes specific park spaces where spatial characteristics such as edge conditions, the quality of the physical environment, and strategic placement conjointly influence interactions between different park users. Building on this analysis, the research extends conviviality theory through empirical analysis of daily practices. The findings demonstrate the interwoven dynamics of spatial layouts, social interactions, and the formation of a sense of place and identity among different park users. The study emphasises the tensions inherent in the park’s role as an urban commons and the effects of commercialisation and regulation. Consequently, it contributes to the literature on urban commons, the politics of everyday multiculture, and public space design. It demonstrates insights into the social functions of public greenspaces as spaces for everyday encounters with multiculture, providing implications for planning and park management strategy development. The research highlights the importance of adaptive, context-sensitive methods that recognise and enable the intricate dynamics of conviviality in shared urban milieus.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Ph.D.

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

PhD thesis

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Westminster

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Ertem, D.

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Smith, A.
• Kamvasinou, K.
• Pappalepore, I.

Identifier

oai:westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk:x4z10

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk:x4z10