Encounters with Difference and Politics of Place: Meanings of Birdwatchers and Dog Walkers at a Multiple-Use Urban Forest

Type of resource
Author/collaborator
Title
Encounters with Difference and Politics of Place: Meanings of Birdwatchers and Dog Walkers at a Multiple-Use Urban Forest
Abstract
With a particular interest in birdwatchers and dog walkers, the author explored place meanings of users at Westmount Summit Woods, a multiple-use urban forest located just west of downtown Montreal. She conducted a document analysis on the research site, followed by data collected through online questionnaire. A total of 120 users participated in the online questionnaire, broken down into birdwatchers (n=44), dog walkers (n=61), and the broader community (n=15). Three themes relating to place meaning were interpreted by the author: (1) Attachment to and Preference for; (2) (Re)connection with Self and Others; and (3) Conflict Between and Within. The author's findings suggest encounters played key roles in the formation of social identity, capital, and conflict. Questions regarding access to and use of public space, how humans and animals are placed vis-à-vis one another, and ways to build civic culture out of difference are addressed in this case study.
Type
Master's Thesis
University
University of Waterloo
Place
Waterloo, ON
Date
2013
# of Pages
viii-69p.
Language
en
URL
Citation
Graham, Taryn M. “Encounters with Difference and Politics of Place: Meanings of Birdwatchers and Dog Walkers at a Multiple-Use Urban Forest.” Master’s Thesis, University of Waterloo, 2013. https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/bitstream/handle/10012/8022/Graham_Taryn.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y.
Find in a library
Permalink