Mobilities on the Margins: Creative Processes of Place-Making

This open-access book explores how places on the margins are created through the interference of everyday mobilities and creative practices. It examines how places, mostly in sparsely populated areas, are perceived as immobile and frozen in time, and how they come into being and develop through the interactions of humans and other beings. The emphasis on mobility disturbs the perception of a place as a bounded entity and offers a valuable understanding of places as mobile and fluid.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 269 pages
Publication date: 16 November 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This open-access book delves into the dynamics of marginalized places, exploring how these often overlooked regions come into existence and evolve through the interplay of everyday mobility and creative practices that transcend conventional cultural and natural boundaries. Through extensive fieldwork and case studies conducted in diverse locations such as Iceland, Finland, Greenland, and Scotland, the book's twelve chapters unveil the intricate web of relations that shape the emergence of places, where individuals adapt and compose their lives in harmony with their surroundings. A central focus lies in examining the interconnectedness between travel, landscape, and material culture, shedding light on how places and margins are enacted through the movements and creative endeavors of humans and other beings. By emphasizing mobility, the book challenges the notion of a place as a fixed entity and provides a valuable and essential perspective on places as dynamic and fluid. Mobilities on the Margins makes a significant contribution to the ongoing exploration of human and more-than-human interactions in a world characterized by rapidly evolving mobilities and persistent crises.

Introduction:
In our increasingly interconnected world, marginalized places often go unnoticed and undervalued. These regions, typically found in sparsely populated areas or regions undergoing transformation, are often perceived as immobile and frozen in time. However, this perception is far from the truth. Through the lens of mobilities and creative practices, this open-access book examines the dynamics that shape these places and the processes through which they emerge and develop.
Theoretical Framework:
The book draws upon a range of theoretical frameworks, including human geography, cultural studies, and environmental studies, to explore the complex relationships between place, mobility, and creativity. It emphasizes the role of everyday mobilities, such as travel, migration, and commuting, in shaping the spatial and temporal dynamics of marginalized places. It also recognizes the importance of creative practices, such as art, architecture, and cultural heritage, in contributing to the identity and vitality of these regions.
Case Studies:
The book presents a series of case studies from various locations around the world, including Iceland, Finland, Greenland, and Scotland. These case studies provide concrete examples of how marginalized places are shaped by the interplay of everyday mobilities and creative practices. They showcase the diverse ways in which individuals and communities engage with their surroundings, adapt to changing conditions, and create new opportunities for themselves and their communities.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Mobilities on the Margins offers a novel and timely contribution to the exploration of human and more-than-human interactions in a world of rapidly evolving mobilities and persistent crises. By highlighting the role of marginalized places in shaping our understanding of the world, the book encourages us to reimagine our relationships with these regions and to recognize their potential for growth and transformation. Through the lens of mobilities and creative practices, we can gain a deeper appreciation of the complexities and interconnectedness of our globalized world and work towards creating more inclusive and sustainable societies.

Weight: 382g
Dimension: 147 x 209 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031413469
Edition number: 1st ed. 2024