If you’re in Manchester this week, take a look on the BBC’s Big Screen at around 14mins past the hour to catch a version of the URBAN EARTH film that we made across the city at night earlier in the year.

Words by Andy Newing

Watch Andy’s LONDON RED photo video on URBAN EARTH

The day began at Waltham Cross in Hertfordshire, just outside the M25. In my mind, Waltham Cross was middle class leafy Hertfordshire suburbs; so I was pleasantly surprised when I got to the station and found somewhere that didn’t really fit my expectations, and which provided a slightly more fitting start to the walk.

Dan’s superbly planned route was able to explore far deeper than the main roads; diversions through alleyways and across green space steered us towards pockets of industry or through the centre of high rise estates; I think it is this aspect that really makes the urban earth ‘portrait’ of a city so rich and insightful. The route allowed us to focus on residential spaces – which say so much more about a neighbourhood than the major transport routes which cut through them. My only regret is that we couldn’t see inside any of the council high rise flats; many times I strained my neck looking up at them and wondering what life must be like on the 28th floor!

The boroughs that we passed through exposed us to some of London’s most deprived neighbourhoods and estates; but on the whole I was pleasantly surprised that none of the neighbourhoods lived up to some of the common pre-conceptions. Many of the houses and flats looked run down; in many cases communal spaces were covered in graffiti; and there was clear evidence of fly tipping – but aside from this, none of the neighbourhoods were ‘unpleasant’ and at no time did we feel threatened or even out of place. In fact, the lack of people on the streets was very surprising; it would be great to repeat the walk at night and see if we got a very different impression.

I certainly agree with Lindsey observation (see separate post re: Londoner article) that the route could be divided into 2 halves split nicely by the North Circular; the section prior to the North Circular really could have been anywhere – the only hint of London was the London busses, which to a non-Londoner such as myself really do stand out. Once we had passed the North Circular you really felt you were getting into the City – indeed it dominated the sky line and the housing density noticeably increased with the absence of post war semi’s. Throughout the whole route I was surprised by the proliferation of green spaces; particularly once we were inside the North Circular. Likewise, we saw far more allotments and evidence of homeowners growing their own fruit and veg. than I would expect for a city of London’s size.

I definitely get the feeling that the government are trying to build their way out of the recession, or perhaps I should say refurbish, – we saw phenomenal amounts of scaffolding and significant evidence that large firms of contractors are working (both internally and externally) on many of the council estates, flats and homes.

One feature that I (quite unintentionally) picked up on was issues to do with parking and traffic management; it was clear that some of these estates had been built without car ownership in mind – in many cases this resulted in the councils actually encouraging parking on pavements; in many places this results in the pavement being split in 2 with a low barrier and a line of cars on either side of the road parked half on the pavement. Likewise, the sheer number and range of traffic calming measures and parking restrictions that have been applied is very obvious as you walk through these areas; littering the urban landscape with signs and road markings and giving you the impression that these are very heavily managed areas. On the subject of parking, I was amazed by the number of disabled spaces that had been added outside individual houses and blocks of flats; it must say something about the health status of those living in these areas.

Even though these areas are clearly deprived; it’s obvious that those living in social/material deprivation make certain lifestyle choices, and use their income for certain activities; particularly purchasing satellite TV, modern and well-looked after cars and cigarettes/alcohol (judging by the rubbish!). Likewise, local councils are clearly trying to change the lifestyles and prospects of some of the residents; each estate had well maintained notice boards containing a range of up to date promotional material for skills training, health promotion and community projects.

Like Manchester, there were a huge number of gated alleyways which suggests that to tackle some of the issues, previously ‘public’ spaces have to become ‘private’ spaces; however, in all cases we were easily able to move from one neighbourhood into the next (sometimes the distinction between them, in terms of housing type and affluence, was quite distinct) which is perhaps surprising.

Finally, you couldn’t help but notice how every piece of land, not matter how small or odd-shaped has a clear land use and value; tiny car repair workshops filled the smallest garages and ‘wedge’ shaped pieces of land between housing and railway lines; an Italian restaurant occupied what was clearly a double garage beforehand. As we passed the railway arches at Whitechapel, a whole range of businesses supplying London cabs with spares and servicing had established under the railway arches themselves; many so small that they could only handle one cab at a time – clearly there are benefits to industrial agglomeration here – but most of the businesses are so small that they must face diseconomies of scale!

I certainly enjoyed the walk and the perspective that it gave, and it’s furnished me with some excellent images to use in teaching next year.

A frame from URBAN EARTH: MANCHESTER that features in the first URBAN EARTH: MASH

Most URBAN EARTH films have no music. Music definitely changes feelings towards a place may it (the music) be dark, euphoric or chilled – that is why the music is left out… yes it makes an easier and in many ways ‘better’ experience to have a good tune to the images as they come towards you, but the films resist the desire and want to conform to ‘entertainment’ in an attempt to challenge how we see our urban world.
URBAN EARTH: MASH kicks the previous paragraph into the long grass. This first MASH cuts Bristol, Manchester and the Tyneside Urban Area out of Britain and glues them all together in what appears to be an urban day. For good measure I’ve created and slammed a tune over the top. It’s all a bit naughty as far as URBAN EARTH goes, but I hope you like it…. I’ve not uploaded it to the web as I am yet to find a player that can handle the stop-motion of the frames – besides I think the films are best viewed small - don’t preview this film, just download it and play it back small- it’s easier on the eye.

Download it now from http://tinyurl.com/urbanmash01

The next one will be longer and even more mashed. Mexico City, Mumbai and London sliced and chopped in regular intervals that blur boundaries and impress upon you their connectivity.

URBAN EARTH EVENT: CANTERBURY

Invade. Capture. Expose.

Book now here…

Invade, capture and expose Canterbury (UK) by joining over 60 people in this intimate URBAN EARTH weekend.

It’s all about the Event. An event that we’re going to create for ourselves on the Saturday night. Based on a secret mission that aims to capture and expose the city that we’re temporarily invading, groups will be challenged to create a film/performance/show ready to display at our event.

FRIDAY 29.01.2010

Arriving. Eating. Briefing. Planning. Sleeping.

SATURDAY 30.01.2010

Eating. Exploring. Creating. Event(ing). Playing. Dancing.

SUNDAY 31.01.2010

Eating. Leaving. Sharing.

How it works…

1. On arrival you’ll be placed into a group. We’ll be mixing things up, but if you are keen to hold hands with someone we can help make that happen too.

2. After eating on Friday night we’ll hold a mission briefing (around 9pm). The brief will be to capture and expose Canterbury… but we’ll be leaving the specifics a secret until then.

3. Canterbury is open for missions to be carried out.  By Saturday night films/shows/performances should ready to go and at 10pm EVENT: CANTERBURY  will begin.

Who can come?

Anyone who is over 18. If you’re interested in exploring our urban world and sharing what you’ve discovered in an interesting way we’d love to have you along.

What will I need?

You’ll need to have a video camera, camera, laptop, sound recorder, type writer, wool or whatever you like to work with. There is bedding at the hostel, but feel free to be even more warm and comfy bring your own too. Food, coffee and tea are included in the ticket, other drinks are left to you.

Book now here.

URBAN EARTH: DAY is a side project of urban earth. The idea is simple, text based and all going well will result in a 24 chapter book.

The idea is to gather together a subjective view of our urban habitat through a series of simultaneous global walks. What we sense, feel and think will posted as twitters as we go, creating a spontaneous urban portrait of where we all are.

The first walk will take place on a Sunday at 12:00(GMT)… but we will work around the clock. Two weeks later the walk will take place at 13:00(GMT).. until after 24 hours and 24 walks we have 24 chapters of a book… made up of our 140 character twittered thoughts.

So you’ll need an hour, a city and a mobile phone for this one.

How to take part…

1. Set up a twitter account. Have a play.
2. RSVP to say your joining in on our Ning.
2. Find a city or urban area.
3. At 12:00AM GMT on 24.05.09 go for a walk… If you are in the Solomon Islands, yes – walk at night!
4. Twitter as you go.. feelings, smells, thoughts, prices, ideas, colours, shop names, (ab)normal and (un)usual stuff… making sure you include #ueday in each and every twitter.
5. Go home and visit http://twitter.com/#search?q=%23ueday
6. Spread the word and watch out for hour 2… 13:00-14:00GMT

Who’s game?

There are lots more URBAN EARTH walks being planned as I write. If you’re in Thies in Senegal (24/01) then Christelle would love to have you along. If you prefer your temperatures sub zero then I’d be delighted to see you in Newcastle in the UK (25/01). People are playing around too – Sao Paulo and Seattle have been teased with some trial walks and there are buzzes from Canada and Turkey too. Whatever your preference it would be very cool if you could make or create an URBAN EARTH walk. To sign in and up join our ning (it’s free). More soon.

The route for URBAN EARTH: BRISTOL has now been chalked out. No matter what your interest, take or way of (re)presenting the city feel free to join this adventure. To join the walk sign into the URBAN EARTH NING or just turn up on the corner of Billand Close and Redford Cresent on the 15th of November ar 11:30.

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Listen out today as URBAN EARTH is featured on Here on Earth: Radio Without Borders on Wisconsin Public Radio. You will hear about our newly launched Ning which has been created to spread the word about future URBAN EARTH walks and invite more people (maybe you?) to join in.

I used to think that London was intense. I used to think that Mexico City was intense. They’re nothing on Mumbai. We walked 24km and it was hard going.

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London and Mexico city seem virtually empty compared to Mumbai. People are everywhere. It’s almost like India has decided to play a game of sardines and everyone’s elbows are being forced into the remaining pockets of this confined space. Overwhelmingly the predominant feeling I get from this place is one of safety, tolerance and humour. Moving through Mumbai is physicalling and emotionally challenging (the cars, autorickshaws, people, people, people, heat and smells) my eyes started to oose somthing white half way through and I was drenched in sweat within an hour.

What I’m still trying to come to terms with is the vast inequality. We walked passed some of the richest and poorest people in the world today living on the same road. Tomorrow we’re going through Dhavari, Asia’s biggest slum and then on into the South of Mumbai where land commands some of the highest prices in the world. I’ll let you know how it goes.

For the first time in human history more people are living in urban than rural places. Over the summer of 2008 URBAN EARTH will be travelling on foot across Mexico City, London and Mumbai to witness our increasingly URBAN EARTH.