Unit 4-5: Intervention – ‘London City Walk’

What

Research Question:

How can (Chinese) individuals (living in London) navigate their cultural identity and sense of belonging in a globalisation context?

The most recent intervention was a “City Walk in London”. Inspired by the relevant expert Yu Chen, who is the visual artist graduated from RCA and now living in London, I would employ city observation and experiments with imagery and sound as research methods. The walk was designed to enable participants to explore and identify with specific locations or things in London that they connect with culturally. The “City Walk in London” includes “Hybrid city walk in London” (Survey) + ” Physical City Walk in London”.

Why:

Building on the insights gathered from the initial research into the complex cultural identity from Hong Kong cinema and the secondary research on the relations between “city”, “space” and “cultural identity”, this walk aimed to further explore “what elements in a city contribute to individual complicated cultural identity” and test “how people perceive the cities they live in” by using a practical way.

1. From Movies to London Life: I started by looking at Hong Kong movies and how they show the city’s life. These movies taught me that the places we go, the sounds we hear, the food we eat, and things we use can tell us a lot about who we are. Just like in the movies, these things help make up our story.
2. The movies made it clear that things like a busy street, the clang of a tram, the taste of a local dish, or a traditional hat aren’t just there for show. They mean something special to us and help make up our complicated cultural story.
3. So, I decided to take this idea for a walk—literally, in London. I wanted to see if people could find parts of their own stories by exploring the city just like movie characters do. By walking around London, taking photos, and seeing which parts of the city felt important to them, everyone could find a piece/pieces of their own culture, just like catching a special scene in a movie.

HOW

1. Survey: A “Hybrid City Walk” survey was initially conducted to collect data on what aspects of London resonate with people’s sense of cultural identity. The survey received 10 responses, each highlighting different aspects like location, food, and objects.
2. Physical Walk: Based on the survey feedback, a physical walk was organized. A pre-planned route was shared with participants, and they were encouraged to photograph elements along the way that they felt connected to their cultural identity.

Process

• Hybrid City Walk In London (online survey)

The questions appear to be about identity in relation to culture and the feeling of belonging in London, specifically among individuals who may have diverse or international backgrounds. There were 10 participants provided their perspectives on the cultural identity and sense of belonging via conducting the “hybrid city walk” and finished the survey. Above is the consolidated pics and stories they shared for this project.

Summary and Analysis:

Identity in relation to the city:

• Several respondents identify themselves in terms of their national or cultural origin, such as “Chinese international student,” indicating that their identity in the city is closely tied to their home culture.
• Terms like “across culture /interdisciplinary” and “mix culture” suggest that some individuals perceive their identity as being influenced by multiple cultures, possibly as a result of their exposure to the diverse environment of London.
• Two respondent feels like a “newcomer” and “new immigrant” in London, highlighting a transitional phase in their identity as they adapt to the new urban environment.

Sense of belonging in London:

• The conditionality of belonging is expressed with responses like “sometimes yes,” implying that belonging may be situational or dependent on specific experiences.
• Internationality and community are factors that enhance belonging, as seen in responses that mention the international nature of the city or the presence of a community from their homeland.
• Practical aspects such as studying or working in London, as well as investments like paying rent and taxes, are cited as reasons for feeling a sense of belonging, suggesting they contribute to the city.
• Social connections, such as living with family or meeting certain people, are also central to the sense of belonging, emphasizing the importance of personal relationships in the experience of the city.

From these insights, we can see that personal identity and the sense of belonging in an urban environment like London are multifaceted and influenced by a combination of cultural, social, and practical factors. The cityscape provides a backdrop against which individuals negotiate their sense of self and community, with various elements of the city playing a role in reinforcing or challenging their cultural identity and feelings of belonging.

Reflection on the “hybrid city walk”: Survey design shortcomings and improvements

Shortcomings:

1. Limited Demographic Data: The survey seems to lack detailed demographic questions, which could provide more context for the responses.
2. Open-Ended Responses: While rich in detail, open-ended questions without structured options can make it hard to analyze data consistently.
3. Question Clarity: Some questions might be too broad or vague, leading to a wide range of answers that can be difficult to categorize.

Improvements:

1. Include Demographic Questions: Add questions about age, occupation, length of stay in London, and other factors that might affect identity and belonging.
2. Balance Open and Closed Questions: Use a mix of open-ended questions for depth and closed questions (like multiple-choice) for easier analysis.
3. Clear and Specific Questions: Make questions as specific as possible to guide respondents in their answers.
4. Pilot Testing: Conduct a pilot survey to test the questions with a small group and refine them based on feedback.
5. Anonymous Responses: Ensure anonymity to encourage honesty, especially if discussing sensitive topics like cultural identity.

2. City Walk in London (Physical)

The pre-planned route included areas in Soho, Chinatown, London Eye, and Covent Garden—places that are popular among the Chinese community in London. 4 participants joined the “city walk” and they all conducted the pre-event survey (hybrid city walk).

Summary & Analysis :

1. Mayna at the Fabric Store:
   • Theme: Professional and Personal Identity
   • Emotion: Pride and Sentimentality
   • Summary: Mayna feels a strong connection to the fabric store as it resonates with her identity as a designer. The textures and colors are not just materials for her; they are a part of her creative expression and professional life.
2. Nini at Uniqlo:
   • Theme: Family Bonds and the Impact of Globalization
   • Emotion: Reflection and Connection
   • Summary: Nini’s visit to Uniqlo underscores her personal ties with her family, as the brand holds sentimental value due to her family’s preference for it. The store serves as a tangible link to her family’s traditions amidst a backdrop of globalization. While Uniqlo represents a global retail force, for Nini, it is a comforting reminder of her familial bonds and the way global trends intersect with personal history.
3. Yan at Bar Termini:
   • Theme: Professional Identity and Personal Achievement
   • Emotion: Pride and Nostalgia
   • Summary: For Yan, Bar Termini is a symbol of her professional journey and accomplishments. The bar, located in Soho, is not just related to Hong Kong culture, but rather it stands as a reminder of the hard work and dedication she has put into her career. The pride in her past efforts and the nostalgia for the times when she was actively working towards her professional goals are the emotions that resonate with her in this setting.
4. Anitasia at the Korean Restaurant:
   • Theme: Cultural Passion and Identity Expression
   • Emotion: Excitement and Belonging
   • Summary: Anitasia’s love for K-pop is evident in her choice of the Korean restaurant. The place is a slice of cultural passion where she can express her identity and feel a sense of belonging through the familiar language and music.

Common Points:

• Personal Connections: Each participant has found a place in London that resonates with their personal identity or history. Whether it’s a profession, hobby, family ties, or cultural background, the locations they’ve chosen are deeply meaningful to them personally.
• Nostalgia: There’s a strong sense of nostalgia across the stories. For Mayna and Yan, it’s about their professional past and the pride in their achievements; for Nini, it’s the family connection through a global brand; for Anitasia, it’s the emotional resonance with cultural elements from K-pop.
• Cultural Identity: All participants draw from cultural aspects in their selected locations. They seek out spaces that reflect their cultural interests, be it fashion, music, or a global brand with personal significance.
• Urban Diversity: The variety of locations chosen by the participants highlights London’s diversity, illustrating how the city caters to different aspects of cultural identity and belonging.

Different Points:

• Source of Connection:
  • Mayna connects with her identity as a designer through the tangible aspects of fabrics.
  • Nini finds connection through family and the implications of a global brand on her personal life.
  • Yan relates to a place that reminds her of her hardworking professional identity.
  • Anitasia’s connection is through her passion for K-pop, which is tied to the cultural elements of a Korean restaurant.
• Type of Identity:
  • Mayna and Yan focus on their professional identities.
  • Nini’s story is intertwined with familial identity and the broader context of globalization.
  • Anitasia’s identity connection is through a leisure activity that speaks to her cultural interests.
• Emotional Response:
  • Mayna and Yan feel pride and nostalgia related to their professional experiences.
  • Nini experiences reflection on her family ties within the context of a globalized world.
  • Anitasia expresses excitement and a sense of belonging through her cultural passion.
• In conclusion, while each participant has a unique story, the overarching theme is the search for spaces within the city that reflect and reaffirm their individual identities and histories. London, with its multitude of cultural offerings, provides each participant with a different avenue to explore and connect with their sense of self.

Reflection: Shortcomings and Improvements

Shortcomings:

1. Intervention Timing: Hosting the intervention on a Friday may have limited participation due to potential conflicts with work or personal schedules.
2. Planning and Promotion: The event may not have been advertised well enough in advance, which could explain the limited number of participants.
3. Sample Diversity: The small group of participants may not provide a comprehensive view of the city’s cultural landscape.
4. Depth of Stories: The brevity of the provided stories might not fully capture the nuanced experiences of the participants.
5. Emotional Range: The focus seems to be on positive associations, potentially overlooking places that represent challenging aspects of identity.
6. Subjectivity in Interpretation: Reliance on subjective narrative analysis could introduce bias.
7. Follow-up: There is a lack of follow-up to assess the long-term impact on participants.

Improvements:

1. Better Timing and Organization: Planning the intervention for a more inclusive time and promoting it more effectively could increase participation.
2. Wider Participation: Engaging a broader demographic would enrich the data collected.
3. In-Depth Interviews: Additional qualitative data from interviews could provide more context to the participants’ choices.
4. Longitudinal Approach: A longer-term study would reveal more about the evolving nature of cultural identity in relation to urban spaces.
5. Quantitative Data: Complementing stories with quantitative data could give a more balanced analysis.
6. Guided Reflection: Structured reflection tools might encourage deeper insights during the walk.

Positive Aspects to Leverage:

• Prior Surveys: All participants had completed the “hybrid city” surveys before the walk, which provides a valuable baseline for comparison.
• Different Settings Reflection: The ability to compare participants’ reflections in different contexts (survey vs. city walk) can offer insights into how different environments influence people’s expression of their cultural identities.

Conclusion

The London City Walk intervention vividly illustrated the complexity and multifaceted nature of personal cultural identity. Despite participants sharing a similar Chinese or Hong Kong cultural background and exploring the same urban space of London, the diversity in their responses was striking. Each individual’s photos, videos, and stories reflected unique perspectives and connections to the city. Discussed with my tutor, this diversity has led to refining the research question to “How can individuals navigate the complexities of their personal cultural identity within an urban context?” Moving forward, my initial idea of the next intervention will explore the use of collage or painting as mediums to express the intricacies of cultural identity perceived by individuals living in different cities. This artistic approach aims to capture and communicate the nuanced understanding of one’s evolving cultural identity in varied urban landscapes.