Sense(s) of Place: Exploring the importance of ‘place’ for future sustainability

This event has ended.

Place holds meaning and memories. Place is where we interact with others and with the physical and natural world. Place makes real the complex connections between environment, society and economy. 

In this programme of interactive events and exhibitions, Cardiff University’s Sustainable Places Research Institute showcases current international research about sustainable place-making, and highlights examples of innovative work being undertaken by civil society organisations in Wales.

Over two days, we’ll debate what place-based research can contribute to informing post-Brexit rural and environment policy and the priorities for City Regions, and we’ll explore how understanding and respecting sense(s) of place can deliver sustainability that engages and enriches people, 

The events will be of interest to all those involved or interested in place-based working and/or sustainable development. The work is particularly relevant to understanding the opportunities provided in Wales by the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the Environment (Wales) Act 2016. 

Choose to attend specific sessions or enjoy the full day programmes.

Exhibition and interactive events (9 and 10 November)

Interactive opportunities

Take the opportunity between the talks to contribute with your own views and experiences to two current projects:

• Mapping the Cardiff City Region. How do you view it? What is important? Hosted by Lorena Axinte
• Where do you learn? Mapping the places where you feel you learn from home to formal education. Hosted by Alice Taherzadeh

Exhibition

See our exhibition of images and materials capturing views of senses of place captured during recent place-based working, featuring:

• Photo voice and mapping from young people in the Cardiff City Region
• Photo voice from the Schema health and environment collaboration in Malaysia- Techniques for participative working from the SUSPLACE programme
• Display on the innovative Landscape-scale projects in WalesTalks and panel discussions

Friday 9 November

10.15 Opening of event: Introduction to Sense(s) of Place. Welcome: Matthew Quinn (CU Place); Speaker: Terry Marsden (CU Place). Including Tour of the exhibition illustrating key place research themes and approaches.

Brecon Beacons:

11.00 Short film and panel discussion: Place, identity and tourism: Catia Cerqueira Rebelo (CU, Susplace); Richard Tyler (BBNP); film participants. Film made in the Brecon Beacons with local place ambassadors as part of the Marie Curie SUSPLACE Programme (Cinema)

14.00 Exhibition talk: Place attachment - Brecon Beacons, Matthew Quinn. Views of place and the power of place attachment in partnership working in the Brecon Beacons Partners

15.30 Exhibition Talk: Landscape-scale working – Rachel Sharp (Wildlife Trusts). Rural Policy debate

18.00 Panel discussion: the role of place in sustainability. Discussants: Terry Marsden (CU Place); Matthew Quinn (CU Place); Rachel Sharp (Wildlife Trusts). What role should place have in a post Brexit policy framework for both rural and urban futures? What governance does this need?

Saturday 10 November

10.15 Guided tour of exhibition

11.00 Short film and Panel discussion: Place-based narratives from Carvalhal de Vermilhas, Vouzela, Portugal: Catia Cerqueira Rebelo (CU Susplace); Lorena Axinte (CU Susplace). Film made in deep rural Portugal with local inhabitants exploring their sense of place and rootedness, as part of the Marie Curie SUSPLACE programme (Cinema)

The City Region:

14.00 Exhibition Talk: Project Skyline: Chris Blake (Green Valleys) and Gloria Giambartolomei (Coventry U). A chance to learn about Project Skyline which is exploring the transformative potential of transferring public land in the Valleys to community ownership or management in collaboration with PLACE researchers.

15.30 Exhibition talk and participative mapping: Views of Cardiff City Region, Lorena Axinte (CU Susplace). The UK Government’s City Region concept is based on a particular take on future economy and place. This session explores alternative views based on local economies and places, inclusion and giving voice to unrepresented groups.

18.00 Panel discussion: City Region and competing views of a better future: Discussants: Kevin Morgan (CU); Lorena Axinte (CU Susplace). Can the City Region approach reflect the power of place for transformative change to sustainability? How might that be made possible? What can we learn from elsewhere?

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