Placemaking: A New Materialist Theory of Pedagogy

The significance of place to our lives is often overlooked, but Tara Page's book "Placemaking: The experiential fact of our existence" shows how our ways of knowing, making, and learning place are entangled with embodied and material pedagogies. Through embodied and material practice research, underpinned with theories of new materialism, Page enables us to learn and understand how our bodily engagements in and with the material world are intra-actions of the who, with the where. This creative and multi-dimensional approach brings together the global with the local, practice with theory, and demonstrates the complex pedagogy between bodies, places, and everyday social relations of power.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2022
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

This question, which frequently asks about someone's birthplace, childhood home, or a place that has special meaning, goes beyond mere orientation and becomes a lived space with rich and multifaceted meanings that are shaped by our experiences, identities, and relationships. However, the significance of place in our lives is often overlooked, despite its profound impact on our understanding of who we are and how we interact with the world.

Understanding the importance of place is crucial for comprehending our individual and collective identities. Through embodied and material practice research, supported by theories of new materialism, Tara Page offers a unique approach to learning and understanding how our ways of knowing, making, and learning are intertwined with embodied and material pedagogies. She demonstrates how our bodily engagements with the material world are intra-actions of the who and the where, highlighting the interconnectedness of our physical experiences and the spaces we inhabit.

This book takes a creative and multi-dimensional approach, combining global perspectives with local insights. It includes photographs and creative practices that complement the text, fostering a holistic understanding of placemaking. By bringing together practice and theory, the book showcases the complex pedagogy between bodies, places, and everyday social relations of power.

Page reveals that placemaking is not just an experiential fact of our existence but also a necessary one. It is through our engagement with and creation of places that we can shape our identities, build relationships, and create meaningful connections with the world around us. This book serves as a valuable resource for educators, researchers, and anyone interested in exploring the role of place in shaping our lives and societies.

ISBN-13: 9781474428781