Charlie Post ArC6-2

Cultural Context Ar C6-2

Literature review Patch 1

SELECTION

The case study that we have decided to look at is by the architects NORD. It is the ceramic ash tray project. The text that I chose to look at in relation to this project was a piece of writing by the Centre for Social Justice. It is called Break Through Glasgow.

The reason I chose this text was because this particular project of NORDs is a result of the changing culture and political legislations that tries to accommodate a new social phenomenon. It was relevant to understand the sociology of Glasgow and the key issues that have led to this social degradation.

ARGUMENT

Describing a 'Tale of Two Cities', Breakthrough Glasgow draws attention to the peculiarly entrenched poverty found in Glasgow. An honest assessment is required in order to ensure Breakthrough policies that will reverse the high levels of worklessness, addiction and gang crime found in the city.

Health issues are address and the text is rich in statistics. The text gives an overview of the key contributing factors that have led to the social degradation of Glasgow.

Key Issuses are:-

Workless homes

Deprived Communities

Generations claiming incapacity benefits

Drugs and alcohol abuse

Crime and gangs

Highest mortality rate

Single parent homes.

The text goes onto suggest that the problem is down to education. Education is the key to social mobility.

Statistics that support that there is a relation between economic activity and life expectancy and how a single parent home affects the child. i.e :-75% likely to fail at school if your not brought up in a two parent society.

Charities and voluntary groups that are active in Glasgow today that are trying to fix this broken society are highlighted as case studies within the text. Right track Scotland and F.A.R.E (family action in Rogerfield and Easterhouse) are just some of the case studies.

RELATION

The piece of text that I am relating it to is a poem that is a thematic driver for my studio project based in Glasgow. It is a poem by Edwin Morgan that concentrates on the idea of identity and belonging in the Scottish culture. There are references to the ‘Red Road’ estate that have recently been knocked down however used to be the typical place for workless homes, drugs and alcohol abuse and crime etc...

I think it is relevant to have a cultural interpretation of the issues that the more formal and informative ‘Break through Glasgow’ piece of writing highlighted.

RESPONSE

It is apparent that there are prominent issues that are causing the social degradation of Glasgow. It is encouraging to hear about charities and voluntary groups that are actively responding to the societies needs.

The governmental statistics are persuasive facts that highlight the issues that Glaswegian culture is facing. It is apparent that the condition of the society has effected the national perception of the city. The poem Scottish Fiction is a reflection of the society.

In the ceramic ashtray project NORD architects undertook research and produced several hypothetical scenarios. The project was realised because of a change in political legislation. NORD responded to that. I will use the knowledge gained from ‘Break through Glasgow’ and apply it to the analysis of our chosen Case Study.