11th Urban Space and Social Life: Theory and Practice Sustainable “Glocal” Space and Social Life

June 16 - 19, 2023

Zanzibar University | Zanzibar, Tanzania

Khamis Juma Abdalla State University of Zanzibar, Lecturer Department of Communication and Media Studies

Title: Deconstructing the Zanzibar Cultural Heritages in the Information Age

Abstract:

Media communication plays significant role on converging local communities in the aspects of commence, cultural exchanges, polity, ideas as well as security concerns. The streams of cultural products and services are vibrant around the world through mass media with strategic endeavors like advertising and other journalistic genres. As long as the social moments and physical interaction surfacing by media technological mechanism, the social heritages certainly dissolve in the information society, commencing Media imperialism outset which consolidate the partial state identity, through films and music for the sake of so-called modernization in the shadow of westernization. Thus, this paper presents a descriptive overview on the cultural heritage vis-à-vis media Information flows in view of social word of Zanzibar. Thanks to the trivial uses of Interpersonal communication as well as traditional means such as Tutu, Messenger (Jumbe), Storytelling, Upatu (gongs), Kanga message, Yelling and others, the emerging social settings and cultural appliances inspire categorical uniformity in the networked social world. Consequently the social sphere is fashioned keen on abundant diversity, divisions and discontinuity of the customs and norms. Therefore, this paper examines the social transition by virtual application as a constant variable liberalizes into polarization of local community in this information age.

Key Words: globalization, Zanzibar cultural Heritage, Cultural Imperialism, Media Industry, Social Life, information age.

Li Zhang and Mingjun Yang Tongji University

Title:

Space Production of Industrial Towns in China with The View of Urban-Rural Dualistic Land Ownership Institution

Abstract:

Land ownership institution is a basic institution for a country which influences national social and space system. The theory of space production advanced by sociologists such us Lefevvre etc. explains how urban space is produced by state intervening, class struggle and social movement in the background of capitalism and private ownership of land institution. But, China’s state is socialism with Chinese characteristics and China’s land ownership is an uran-rural, or state-collective, dualistic system which is very different from that in western countries where most land is owned privately. The research question is how to explain the space production in this socialism and dualistic land ownership institution.

The developed industry towns in China experienced the opening reform and transition from planned economy to market economy. Especially, those towns land ownership is the mixing of state and private. It shapes a best research sample to conclude space production in China including its characteristics and its mechanisms. Field works and historic tracing, remote image recognizing are employed to be the main methods and 18 developed industry towns are investigated in 2020. The theoretic framework with for factors including national governance, community right economic transition and land development operating is put forward to explain the space production in China with socialism and urban-rural dualistic land ownership institution.

June 16 - 19, 2023

Zanzibar University | Zanzibar, Tanzania

Mariko Hamaya Ph.D., Affiliated Researcher, Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies, Kyoto University, Japan

Title:

Spiritual Complex of Leicester: Re-organising ‘The Divine’ Through Volunteering After the Pandemic

Abstract:

Leicester is one of the most outstanding cities of migrants in the UK, particularly after many Indian people, mainly of Gujarati origin, were forced to move from Uganda and other East African countries in the 1970s. The South Asian diasporas have established religious centres such as Hindu temples, Jain temples, Sikh gurudwaras, and Islam masjids, most of which were related to their own caste communities. On the other hand, what should be noticed is that new spiritual organisations beyond the socio-religious boundaries are getting popular and influential as so-called mindfulness movements have become a worldwide trend while the generation and ethnicity of migrants have changed. This paper will examine case studies of a few spiritual organisations focusing on volunteering, based on the data I collected during the fieldwork between April and November 2022. Volunteering, which is termed sevā in Hindi and Gujarati and originally means spiritual service, is essential to manage the organisation, while volunteers can connect to the organisation, other volunteers, and the deity both socially and spiritually. This paper will show how the South Asian diasporas are trying to re-organise ‘the divine’ and its network beyond the religion-based communities after the pandemic affected their community activities.

Keywords: migration, South Asian diaspora, spiritual organisation, volunteering

Michelle M. Jacob

PhD (Yakama Nation), Professor of Indigenous Studies, Department of Education Studies, University of Oregon, USA

Title:

Honoring Indigenous Cultural Teachings to Address and Overcome Diversity and Inclusion Challenges

Abstract:

COVID-19 and the ongoing pandemic presents tremendous loss and multiple forms of stress for all peoples, and most particularly for marginalized groups who continue to bear a disproportionate burden in the “new normal”. This paper discusses challenges faced by graduate students and faculty who are working at the margins of U.S. and Canadian academies. Using an intersectional approach, the case study describes groups of faculty and graduate students who are pursuing their work as academic writers in online spaces. The groups, gathered as part of The Auntie Way Writing Retreat developed by Yakama scholar Michelle Jacob, honor and affirm the importance of Indigenous research methodologies, and center the values of respect, relationship, representation, relevance, responsibility, and reciprocity, described by Tsosie et al’s (2022) article, “The Six Rs of Indigenous Research.”

Key findings include:

1) Online spaces can serve as important points of connection, particularly for Indigenous and other scholars who are isolated at their home institutions, 2) Collectivist approaches that celebrate individuals achieving their goals benefits the entire group, and 3) Using Indigenous methodologies can help students and faculty feel they belong in the academy. These findings indicate the potential honoring Indigenous teachings has for overcoming diversity and inclusion challenges.

Keywords: Indigenous research methodologies, Decolonization, Diversity and inclusion, Social change

June 16 - 19, 2023

Zanzibar University | Zanzibar, Tanzania

Ombeni Swai

Senior Lecturer, Department of Architecture, School of Architecture Construction Economics and Management, Ardhi University, Tanzania

Title: COMPLEMENTARITY OF ARCHITECTURE IN HISTORICAL SETTINGS: Case of Bagamoyo Old Town, Tanzania

Abstract:

This paper investigates the concept of architectural complementarity in the historical buildings in Bagamoyo’s old town. It explores the existing architectural building artifacts from various styles covering different civilizations including, natives, Swahili, Arabic, Indian, European, modernism, and contemporary, which have transcended Bagamoyo to date. It further explores the concept of complementarity with the new architectural development in the same place. Descriptive and graphical methods of analysis are applied to construct the main discourse of the study. The following are the findings: The concept of architectural complementarity is ambiguous, and it is built on two schools of thought: those who value architectural complementarity by preserving the historical status quo of the urban fabric and those who consider achieving complementarity by introducing modernity (new buildings) into the historical settings or buildings. Thus, the concept depends on a variety of elements, including culture, materials, design approach, style, building techniques, context, economy, environment, and society, as well as how these elements are grouped to fit in the surrounding environment, which necessitates the need to comprehend the architectural styles of old buildings to improve the design of new buildings introduced historical fabric. To guide development in historical contexts, collaborative policy formation amongst stakeholders is of paramount importance.

Ombeni Swai

PhD. Senior Lecturer/Urban Designer- Department of Architecture, Ardhi University, Tanzania

Title:

The Rise of Consumerism in Urban Milieu and its Manifestation into Spatial Dynamics: The Case of Mbezi Beach, Mwai-Kibaki Road, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract:

The study sheds light on the phenomenon of consumerism and its impact on the spatial, economic, social, and environmental aspects of residential areas along Mwai Kibaki Road, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Data were collected through interviews, questionnaires, and field observation. Information on the rise of consumerism is analyzed using a combination of descriptive and graphical methods. The findings are summarized hereunder: The introduction of tarmac roads along the study area attracted more residents to the neighborhood, which increased consumer demand. The rise of consumerism transformed the apartments that existed at the time into various types of consumer stores. The rise of the consumer class in urban environments has socio-spatial, socio-physical, and environmental impacts, a phenomenon that needs to be controlled to manage the adverse effects (garbage management, noise, and high traffic) associated with consumer behavior. Consumerism has positively improved the design of buildings, infrastructure, retail spaces, green spaces, sidewalks, and the entire cityscape. The study recommends that the City Planning Act, as provided in Cap. 355, is flawed and does not specifically address the allocation of residential and commercial space for new developments that may offer shopping in residential neighborhoods. The study recommends the need to regulate the establishment of commercial spaces in residential areas.