Mental mapping activity Perception of place Mental mapping activity Starter A B C

Mental mapping Independently, identify routes that you would be happy to take during the day. Compare routes – are there similarities? Are there differences? If there are differences – why do you think this is? Now identify “no–go zones” during the evening. Compare routes – any similarities/differences? Why are these “no-go zones”?

What affects our everyday geographies? Our mental maps help us decide where we are going to go in a place. Mental maps can be often shaped by fear. They are formed through accumulated knowledge; by everyday contact with people and the media. Shared knowledge with family and friends which allow us to assess risk and create strategies for safety.

How Do We Understand Place? Key Idea 2.a: People see, experience and understand place in different ways and this can change over time. Learning Objective: To explore how gender influences the way people see, experience and understand place.

The Geography of Fear can affect women’s perception of place The Geographer Gill Valentine explored the Geography of Women’s Fear in the 1990s and looked at how women’s geography was often restricted as a result. For example dimly lit streets were to be avoided. Places that would be used during the day might be avoided by night. (E.g. a short cut through a public park).

Geographies of Fear don’t just affect women’s perception of place A study of park users in Leicester in 1997 (Clare Madge ) found that fear was a major deterrent limiting the use of parks, especially for women, the elderly and Asian and African-Caribbean people. Certain fears were particularly important for specific groups: women were particularly fearful of sexual attack, the elderly of mugging Asian and African-Caribbean people of racial attack. Women and African-Caribbean people were most liable to alter their behaviour as a result of their fears. The spatial outcomes of fear both reflect and reinforce social injustice based on gender and race inequality.

A safe-space is… "A place where anyone can relax and be fully self-expressed, without fear of being made to feel uncomfortable, unwelcome or challenged on account of biological sex, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, cultural background, age, or physical or mental ability.” “A place where the rules guard each person's self-respect, dignity and feelings and strongly encourage everyone to respect others.” Examples of “safe-spaces” in Brighton: http://www.pavilions.org.uk/services/safe-space/  http://www.marlboroughtheatre.org.uk/the-safety-map-invites-the-lgbtq-community-to-share-their-experiences-of-brighton-hove/

Other ways that Gender can affect perception of place Traditionally men have dominated public spaces and women have occupied private spaces. This has affected how public spaces are constructed and how they are used. Some public spaces such as sports stadiums are dominated by men.

DOES GENDER INFLUENCE PERCEPTION? Tasks: 1. What do you think is meant by the term “geography of fear”? 2. How do you think politicians, architects and urban planners are trying to combat this? shopping centres – security guards & CCTV. Multi-story carparks – women only parking ground/first floor & CCTV. Female only halls of residence at university 3. Give examples of “safe-spaces”. 4. Are “safe-spaces” just about gender?

Sexuality Read this article. Where is Hebden Bridge? Why is it the lesbian capital of the UK? Why do big cities like Brighton have big gay communities?

sexuality As the acceptance of different sexual orientations becomes more widespread, some places acquire a meaning because they are where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups (LGBT) tend to cluster. In some cities, LGBT ‘zones’ have been identified and mapped. These areas centre on concentrations of restaurants, bars and clubs which are ‘gay friendly’ such as the Castro District in San Francisco, the ‘Gay Village’ in Manchester, Brighton and London's Soho. The LGBT community is a large one and these places are cosmopolitan and accepting of a wide diversity of people. In San Francisco electing LGBT councillors is seen as vital in promoting the LGBT way. Researchers believe these LGBT areas have grown up as numbers increase and because the community feel safer in these areas and more like they can be themselves without facing judgement. There is a ‘pink’ economy around such locations and the LGBT friendly logo as people are attracted to these areas as they can be themselves without fear.