Global Space

Globalization is the growth of social interaction among people, businesses and governments worldwide. Trading across the world is used has dominated the transportation globally. However, this can have negative effects on the daily life of people and the ocean itself.

Film Screening: 

Forgotten Space- The Sea, Containerisation and the Spatial Imagination of Globalisation.

This screen essay tells the story of space and society have neglected the ocean as a central space for globalization and its many uses. Furthermore, this informs you the variety of ports and how its part of a global system. Throughout the essay film, various cases studies are brought to light showing how they have not only affected the oceans but people who live by the ports.

The sea is a very important part of the global industrial system but has been overturned by mistaken beliefs. Firstly, the sea is only a place that does not need to be used as it is thought to be an ‘old fashioned’ way of trading due to the slow moment of the ships transporting the goods and the decline in the economy being able to support this system. This suggests transportation of this kind should not and will not be used as much today and in the future. Secondly, Sekula & Noël Burch state in the notes for this film, as we are living in a post-industrial society, technology has become dominant within ports and significantly in the economy.  This means this way of transportation is becoming old and outdated to the world. Also, this can make a variety of link to the Docklands, Canary Wharf due to it being a port for the outside world.

The film states ’90 percent of the worlds cargo moves by sea.’ This is thought to be extremely important and a change in the way technology was looking after cargo. Without the help of this factories, today would not be able to run as well as the creation of globalization. America was one of the first places which put this practice in the 1950s, using cargo containers, a metal box which was easily transported on to the ship. This showed history importance and changed the way space and time were used when accessing port cities and ocean pathways.

One of the case studies this essay film looks at is Bilbao. Bilbao once supplied high achieving port but today throughout the 19 and early 20th century, but from is now starting to dissolve into history. Money is still needed for the economic growth of the country. One way they have tried to do this is by designing the Guggenheim to promote creativity but to make it a more cultural society.

Bibliography:

Noël B. Jonathan R. Allen S. Jennifer V. Darrell V. Jerry W. A Film About the Sea (PDF) Available At:  Forgotten-Space.pdf  (Accessed: 11/11/17)

 

Docklands, Canary Wharf

The Docklands located in Canary Wharf has changed significantly throughout the decades and was very effective due to London’s access to the River Thames. It was once the home of the Docklands but due to several problems, it has now turned into a financial quarter for companies of the largest banks in the United Kingdom.

The Docklands was part of the London Docklands Development Corporation, created by Margret Thatcher and helped London economically from the early 1980s as a way of regenerating the area and the introduction of various transport links. Oakley (2013) Furthermore, its location allowed relationships to be created between other ports outside and around the country; making transportation accessible and producing jobs globally for the unemployed. This created a central point for trading.  From 1960, there was a large decline in manufacturing due to larger ships being too big for it to reach the dock as well as new technologies such as containerization which meant there was no need for people to offload, leading to fewer jobs. The Docklands needed to be regenerated. (Kollewe, 2015)

When visiting the Docklands, it is visible that it has been privatised. “They let us stay but made it very clear that every piece of land on Canary Wharf apart from the 50 yards outside the Jubilee line station [is private].” (Vasagar 2012) Although everyone is able to enter this public space, the area itself is private land. This means public access can be removed at any time. One way this has been shown is by a large amount of security circulating the area. I felt there was a high level of security which suggested it to be a privatised area. This changes the level of interaction with people as it makes you hesitant knowing that they are there.  However, some people may feel it gives themselves a sense of assurance and safety, for example, terrorist attacks. Although there was a high level of security, the buildings and architecture, took away from the thought of that by amazing people at the level of detail of each building. I felt the intended use of the building reflected in the architecture, with its links to the financial sector suggested that was a great amount of money to build it.

Secondly, over 90,000 people work in Canary Wharf due it being the central hub of economics and businesses (Anon., 2017). The regeneration of this area accommodates well for the middle class or business people. This type of space reflects highly on the people who visit this area as there are no homeless people to be been. On the other hand, I located a mall which accommodates for the upper-class lifestyle of people as most shops were on the luxury side, for example, Tesla. This again shows the type of people Canary Wharf attracts. Moreover, Canary Wharf is a very clean, quiet place as there was no graffiti to be seen, or very much socialising.

Bibliography:

Vasagar, J (2012) ‘Public spaces in Britain’s cities fall into private hands’, The Guardian, 11, June Available at :https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/jun/11/granary-square-privately-owned-public-space (Accessed: 24 October 2017)

Oakley (2013) East London History. Discover East End Facts. Available at: http://www.eastlondonhistory.co.uk/ (Accessed: 24 October 2017)

Kollewe, J (2015) ‘Canary Wharf timeline: from the Thatcher years to Qatari control’, The Guardian, 28, January Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jan/28/canary-wharf-timeline-london-building-docklands-thatcher  (Accessed: 24 October 2017)

Anon., 2017. One Canada Square.
Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Canada_Square
(Accessed 24 October 2017)

Place Marketing

Place Marketing uses various approaches to space and culture to help to attract businesses around the world through consumerism as well as. This allows different strategies to be put in place which has been used from existing businesses. (Place Marketing, no date)

One way this has been done is though Disneyization. Disneyization is a theory which explains how society has changed through the space and culture of theme parks; in this case, Disneyland.  Disneyland comprises of three viewpoints, themes, consumption, merchandising and emotional labour. Mouseketeer C (2010)

‘The processes by which the principles of the Disney theme parks are coming to dominate more and more sectors of American society as well as the rest of the world’.  The Disneyisation of Society, (2004)

Disneyland comprises of three viewpoints, themes, consumption, merchandising and emotional labour. Mouseketeer C (2010)

Disneyization is dominating society hugely. One way it has done this is through theming. When arriving at Disneyland, the park instantly creates a seamless integration within the person surroundings which expresses meaning. ‘Theming offers the opportunity to be entertained and enjoy novel experiences’ (2004, pp 15) Throughout Disneyland Shops, Restaurants, entrances and exits are able to adapt to the location through its branding and space. This is done by locating a target audience; enhancing the likelihood of people visiting that area and entertainment value.

In society today, the service which is given is seen as more important than the way something looks. This means areas need to have a unique and individual feel in order for people to visit which made lead to a larger growth in consumerism. Mouseketeer C (2010) Alongside theming in merchandising. Merchandising works with theming as it is able to give back to the visitors and remember each place fondly. When visitors are exit an out of an attraction, merchandise is displayed, this grabs the users attention and most likely leads to them buying an object as a souvenir. Mouseketeer C (2010)

Emotional Labour is ‘the focus is being placed on a feature of Disney theme parks that is spreading throughout the service sector. (2004, pp 104) they want to integrate the employees into the environment rather than them being separate from the visitors. One way this has been done is by creating ‘real life’ Disney characters throughout each space and attraction. The people who work there are not seen as ‘staff’ but as people who contribute to the place. This would not only affect the attitudes of the visitors, Disneyland will provide and happy atmosphere and relationship between people.

Finally, consumption uses a combination of products and service which leads to customers buying a product and staying longer in that specific space. Places such as Disneyland is not all about the rides itself; its also about entertainment, shopping and dining and creating a valuable profit. Mouseketeer C (2010)

Bibliography

Place Marketing (No Date) Available At: place-marketing.html (Accessed: 17 October 2017)

Mouseketeer, C (2010) ‘Disneyfication and Disneyization’ ‘Disneyology: The study of castles, cowboys and country bears,’ 25 March. Available at: disneyfication-and-disneyization.html (Accessed: 17th October 2017)

Bryman, A (2004) The Disneyization of Society. Unknown place of publication: Sage Publications Ltd