Reeve, Gillian Beatrice. 2023. Socio-ecological place-shaping: performative sacred values as enablers of local urban transformation. Doctoral thesis, Goldsmiths, University of London [Thesis]

Preview	Text (Socio-ecological place-shaping: performative sacred values as enablers of local urban transformation) STaCS_thesis_ReeveG_2023_REDACTED.pdf - Accepted Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (2MB) | Preview
	Text (Socio-ecological place-shaping: performative sacred values as enablers of local urban transformation) STaCS_thesis_ReeveG_2023.pdf - Accepted Version Permissions: Administrator Access Only Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (3MB)

Abstract or Description

This thesis is an in-depth case study of Faiths4Change, a small environmental intermediary organisation and their close relational network based in the UK. The research is grounded epistemologically in social constructivism and new materialism, adopting a post-structuralist, assemblages theory approach to explore the place-shaping values of Faiths4Change. The research addresses an urgent question in the context of the climate emergency; how do values enable transformative, social-ecological place-shaping practices? This is an acknowledged research gap in sustainability studies, and the research approaches this question from an interdisciplinary perspective, drawing primarily on the four academic fields of urban studies, sustainability studies, the sociology of religion, and public theology.

The thesis provides research-led insights into performative sacred values and how they can enable local, socio-ecological place-shaping transformations. The research suggests that the place-shaping of Faiths4Change and their relational network can result in ‘a sacred (re)imagining of place’, through three value-centred processes: listening to the eco-system (seeing in the round), creative assemblage building (the art of the possible) and embodying a sacred (re)imaginary of place (a shared journey of re-connection). The three processes are captured in a cyclical place-shaping model that describes a creative and innovative approach to bottom-up urban place-shaping. This shows how Faiths4Change break open their foundational Christian values into broader and more open sacred values that facilitate creative assemblage building.

The research is local and specific but gathers data from varied projects and draws on the insights from both Faiths4Change and their relational network. The place-shaping model captures broader guiding principles of place-shaping, and these insights may be of relevance to local communities, urban networks, and urban policymakers. The final two chapters reflect on the research from two urban research conversation, firstly the contribution of religion in urban contexts from the perspective of postsecularity and secondly urban policy and governance directions.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Identification Number (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.25602/GOLD.00034324
Keywords:	socio-ecological transformation, sacred values, urban place-shaping, performative values, intermediaries, urban networks, urban assemblages, postsecularity
Departments, Centres and Research Units:	Social, Therapeutic & Community Engagement (STaCS)
Date:	31 October 2023
Item ID:	34324
Date Deposited:	10 Nov 2023 15:45
Last Modified:	10 Nov 2023 15:58
URI:	https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/34324

View statistics for this item...

Edit Record (login required)