Preparation for PM 1: Understanding the Eco-Social Landscape, Mapping Stakeholders in Allotment Associations

2024-01-02

At the core of my research lies a profound curiosity about the intricate dynamics of eco-social conflicts within local human communities, specifically within allotment associations. To unravel this complexity, I have engaged in a journey to craft a stakeholder map that illuminates the diverse web of relationships and influences shaping the allotment landscape. However, as I delved deeper into the mapping process, I realised the vastness of the task at hand. The complexity of relations exceeded my capacities within this research endeavour, prompting me to pause and reflect on the boundaries of my exploration. Ultimately, the map serves as a mere shadow of its potential, as I recognised the need to draw a line and conclude my exploration at a certain point. Despite its limitations, I am confident that the insights gained will prove invaluable in guiding the next steps of my research journey.

Guiding you through the map, the central concept is "Eco-Social Dynamics in Allotment Communities," depicted as a cloud-like centre. From this central point, arrows extend outward, symbolising the myriad communities intersecting and interacting with this central issue.

Above the cloud, the first inputs are sketched, symbolising the initial connections and interactions. Subsequently, additional arrows and lines spread outwards, creating a vast network of relationships.

Within this expansive network, I encountered various communities such as educational, rural, urban, neighbourhood, indigenous (historically present in Europe, nowadays still around in Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland), political, online/virtual, health, environmentalist, and economic communities. Each of these communities offers its unique perspectives, interests, contributions, and relations to the discourse surrounding allotment associations.

What's fascinating is that these relationships and perspectives are not isolated; they intersect and intertwine based on the diverse roles individuals play within allotment associations and their broader lives. For instance, a gardener within the association might also be a working parent, a tenant of a flat, a sibling, a car driver, a meat eater, or involved in various community activities such as working at the local church. These multifaceted roles shape the dynamics of interactions and influence the complexities of eco-social conflicts within allotment associations.

As I focused on each community, I uncovered additional layers of complexity (a repetitive word, I am afraid). For instance, within urban communities, I encountered a multitude of stakeholders including residents, local government officials, city planners, urban designers, and educational institutions. Each stakeholder group plays an important role in shaping the urban environment and influencing the dynamics of allotment associations within urban settings either intentionally or unintentionally.

Additionally, the detailed stakeholder map serves as a reflection of diverse relationships. In my exploration of Swiss allotment gardens, I created detailed stakeholder maps to identify and analyse the diverse direct and indirect actors involved in the allotment ecosystem. These maps go beyond the obvious participants, providing a comprehensive view of the complex network influencing the eco-social dynamics within Swiss allotment communities.

Acknowledging the multifaceted nature of stakeholder relationships and the interconnectedness of diverse communities, the stakeholder map potentially offers a comprehensive understanding of eco-social interactions, relations, and potential conflicts within allotment associations. It serves as a valuable tool for navigating the intricacies of community dynamics, fostering dialogue, and devising inclusive design strategies that promote sustainability, resilience, and community cohesion within allotment associations and beyond.

Join me on this journey as I continue to explore the rich network of eco-social interactions, cultivate unity, and pave the way towards resilient communal spaces within allotment associations.