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# 6.4 Making use of the critical spatial thinking framework

## Activity 6

Now listen to the audio for this course. In this audio, the geographer Clive Barnett, one of the authors of this course, talks to Margo Huxley about the relevance of the critical spatial thinking framework outlined in this course to her own work. Margo is an expert in urban planning and human geography, and also has extensive practical experience of working around issues of planning and urban change.

In their conversation, Clive and Margo reflect on the ways in which critical spatial thinking can throw light on examples close to their own concerns – Margo talks in particular about a place she is familiar with, personally and professionally, the city of Sheffield in the north of England. As you listen to the discussion, you might want to keep in mind that, like Margo, you are likely to be familiar with places or issues not covered in this course, and notice how she talks about how the critical spatial thinking framework might apply to her particular example.

Clive and Margo talk about three related topics. First, Margo reflects on the way in which issues arise in particular places, and she notes the idea of ‘ordinary cities’. Then, they move on to consider how the three dimensions of critical spatial thinking might be useful in understanding the specific example of urban change in Sheffield that Margo is involved in. Finally, they consider the practical relevance of this way of thinking, and touch on the notion of ‘spatial rationalities’ that underwrite practical interventions in spatial processes.

The discussion is intended to help by providing a guide to thinking about how you might apply the framework of critical spatial thinking to examples with which you might be familiar.

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The framework of critical spatial thinking
Transcript
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