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Exploring solutions to 'graffiti' in Newcastle upon Tyne
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Exploring solutions to 'graffiti' in Newcastle upon Tyne
Method(s) Used
Name of person who posted the project:Dominic Potter
Location of project:United Kingdom
Date when the project started:2001
Date when the project ended/project ongoing:2002
Background to project:Over the last few years in Newcastle upon Tyne a rise in the amount of ?graffiti? has been observable, particularly within the city?s residential areas. Local community groups have informed those involved in community safety partnerships that the prevalence of ?graffiti? is a key ?problem? in their community, making areas look bad and making people feel unsafe and vulnerable, and the local Crime Reduction Strategy has highlighted the removal of ?graffiti? as a key target. Newcastle City Council?s Cityworks Directorate has also estimated that ?graffiti? is costing the city £1.25 million per year. As such, ?graffiti? has become a pressing issue for both public and private sectors within the city.. ?Exploring solutions to ?graffiti? in Newcastle upon Tyne? was co-ordinated by Dr. Duncan Fuller from the Division of Geography/PEANuT (Participatory Evaluation and Appraisal in Newcastle upon Tyne) project of Northumbria University between November 2001 and June 2002. Based around the use of participatory appraisal, the project team engaged in enthusiastic in-depth dialogue with members of the public, members of the Graffiti Forum, and those involved in the local ?graffiti? scene. . Purpose of project:The project was commissioned by Newcastle City Council?s Graffiti Forum in order to examine whether the development of legal sites could reduce the amount of ?graffiti? appearing in the city.. Project activities:The research team consulted over 40 local writers, 24 local Graffiti Forum members and local workers, and around 200 members of the public.. A key focus of the research entailed exploring the perceptions of young ?graffiti? writers concerning whether a legal site policy be a realistic and realisable solution to the local situation, and importantly, how it would work in practice. . Project results:Local writers enthusiastically interacted with the notion of an ideal site within which ?graffiti? could be performed legally. They identified a wide range of key characteristics that such a site would/could have, detailing specific (and often varied) requirements in relation to such issues as the provision of paint and related resources (including walls and surfaces), the general environment, the facilities the site should have, issues around accessibility and membership, and, perhaps most importantly, how the site would be managed and financed.. A wide range of alternative solutions were also identified during the research, both during the local discussions and through secondary information searches. Initiatives and interventions are representative of four main types of approach: diversionary based interventions; enforcement based interventions, including partnership approaches; situational crime prevention interventions; and education campaigns. Local respondents? comments suggested that, within these approaches, only legal projects would have widespread general support. Many of the initiatives being undertaken, and often viewed in positive terms by Graffiti Forum members, are perceived by writers and workers to actually make the ?problem? worse. . Contact details:For more information on Participatory Appraisal, go to PEANuT?s website at http://www.northumbria.ac.uk/sd/academic/sas/rande/consult/pa/ . A summary of the ?Exploring solutions to ?graffiti? in Newcastle upon Tyne? report can be found at http://www.northumbria.ac.uk/static/5007/appdf/graffiti.pdf . |
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