Uncovering insights on air pollution and the environmental factors at play in public spaces in London
by Marcus Tayebwa
Towards the tail end of September (post-lockdown), I was afforded the opportunity to lead a local surveying team based in Vauxhall on a data collection project on air pollution. We did this in partnership with GEHL, an Urban Planning firm, based in Copenhagen. The objective was to correctly utilise the cultural nuance of local people to gain critical insight into the environmental factors at play in this public space in South London. In doing so we were able to bridge the gap between urban planners and the local residents who will be at the heart of any urban developments going forward.
As is well known, research extraction of communities conducted by traditional institutions in the research space has created a culture gap that negatively affects the evaluation of subtext and human narratives that are attached to public space. Air pollution tends to be more prevalent in areas inhabited by lower-income and BAME communities in London. The pressure of living in such conditions begs the question of how co-ownership and co-creation of proposed solutions can be achieved for the benefit of those who live there?
Furthermore, the misunderstanding of challenged urban communities leads to a mistrust of large organisations that has conversely led to resourcefulness that manifests itself as cultural equity within locals. The inclusion of citizens from the very same locale that we observed gave us access to data and cultural equity that only lived experience could provide. By treating this cultural equity as a commodity that is complementary to research on public space, we showed a forward-thinking approach to problem-solving in a more human-centric way. To quote a personal favourite Nipsey Hussle saying about problem-solving “It’s not on you, it's in you and when it's in you, it can never be taken away”.
Engaging people found in ‘hard to reach’ communities is a speciality of ours because we can recognise and speak to the powerful incentive of those who are suffering or marginalised in public spaces. I found myself impressed at how concise and productive the feedback that we got back from the team of local surveyors I was leading. It felt like a lot of the insights the team uncovered were developed over a long time of environmental neglect. This led to an animated discussion between us on the processes that could influence change.
Such was the quality of the urban understanding from our surveying team that I dared to opine that we very well may have ignited the passions of some future urban planners! The civic-minded approach of our team was exemplary, sincere and practical. Christopher, one of the Surveyors, when discussing a potential continuation to this programme powerfully said: “The issues we just attacked today aren’t going anywhere Marcus so in that case, why should we?”
Our work looking into the health impacts of air pollution is just beginning and over the next few months, we’ll be conducting community-led research, delivered for the people, by the people. Watch this space.