Upload
others
View
5
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
364364UNITASCRUZ, RONQUILLO: MAPPING URBAN
Mapping Urban Ethnography Through Streetscape AnalysisA Case Study of Barangay Kanluran, Santa Rosa City, Laguna, Philippines
AbstractAlthough map representation correlates with the understanding of relation-
ships that exist among the built environment, the space between them, and
the life in place, it does not always capture the cultural realities of a society
and the character of a place. Urban ethnography offers an answer to this issue,
as it focuses on the ethnographic interpretation of urban life and culture of
a place. One method to capture urban ethnography is through streetscape
characterization using observational analysis and photo documentation. This
paper aims to map the cultural patterns of a barangay—the smallest unit of
administrative boundary in the Philippines—in Santa Rosa, Laguna, a city with
historical significance undergoing rapid urban change, and to analyze how
different aspects of the local culture are developed. This city that started with a
majority of rural land use has evolved into a highly industrial and commercial
city in the south of Luzon, earning it the label “Investment Capital of Southern
Noel C. Cruz
Kimberly T. Ronquillo
College of ArchitectureUniversity of Santo Tomas
365365UNITASCRUZ, RONQUILLO: MAPPING URBAN
Luzon.” The findings of this study can help trace the positive cultures which
can become basis for the preservation of the local identity of a place like Santa
Rosa, a city currently undergoing urbanization.
Keywordsurban ethnography, culture, streetscape, mapping
366366UNITASCRUZ, RONQUILLO: MAPPING URBAN
IntroductionIt is a common knowledge that urban space is a social, cultural and phys-
ical space in a city setting. As compared to rural spaces, an urban space can
be considered more sophisticated due to the diverse cultures present and
the fast-paced development. Its residents are usually diverse in terms of
ethnicity and socio-economic status. It is therefore important that studies of
urban spaces be done in a more nuanced approach (Venegas and Huerta 2).
This paper is focused on streets as a major urban space and the main
artery of circulation that connects people with the built environment. Unlike
other urban spaces, streets are considered necessary (Gehl qtd. in Hartanti
and Martokusumo 5) and unavoidable. It is where residents and visitors alike
experience and get an “impression of the city” (Hartanti and Martokusumo
5). The idea of experience gives an impression of three-dimensionality to the
street as an urban space which Bain, Gray and Rodgers coin as a kind of large
“outdoor room” (5) or simply a streetscape. It captures the overall character
or the urban identity of a city.
However, urban identity in recent years has evolved into having varied
definitions and a much broader context. One of its many definitions is “the
expression of distinguishing features of a being which are unique to it” which
implies “interaction” or the necessity of “being in relation” (Ocakçi and Turk
qtd. in Kaymaz 28). This perceived identity of a city may be considered as
bases for improvement measures of desired image and quality (Hartanti and
Martokusumo 5).
There are several ways of doing urban space studies, and one of the most
known research approaches is ethnography. According to Atkinson, urban
ethnography, unlike other methods, is not a singular method (qtd. in Portus
102). It is a holistic research approach in documenting the culture of a group
of individuals (Portus 102).
Ethnography, although it is already used in urban planning, has been
viewed as a subfield of sociology. Portus’ Doing Social Science Research explains
how ethnography enriches the research process and outcomes in a number
of ways, including the following:
367367UNITASCRUZ, RONQUILLO: MAPPING URBAN
• It documents the existence of alternative realities and describes and
appreciates these realities in their own terms;
• It introduces ethnocentrism which is the tendency to regard one’s
culture as intrinsically superior to others;
• It discovers grounded theories or alternative theories based on
actual data or information from the field;
• It shows the range of cultural differences as well as the dynamic
interaction of people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives;
• It facilitates the understanding of complex societies (102).
An ethnographer’s role is to gather data either by participating in or
observing community activities, examining documents and materials, inter-
viewing stakeholders, and gathering field notes (Creswell qtd. in Venegas
and Huerta 5). According to Hobbs, surveys, life histories, films, and photo-
graphs have already gained popularity as part of the ethnographic approach
nowadays (qtd. in Portus 102). Since these modern methods are primarily
driven by technology, documentations such as these enable the ethnogra-
pher to pause time to more carefully observe details that may not have been
visible in real time.
Research Goals and MethodologiesThe aim of this research is to discover how streetscape documentation can
be used as a tool not just for archival purposes but more importantly to aid
in urban ethnography. It aims to achieve the same goals of ethnography that
are mentioned above, particularly the discovery of grounded theories based
on actual data and the deeper understanding of complex modern societies.
As aforementioned, urban ethnography is the holistic research approach
in documenting the culture of a group of individuals. Although Culture may
have a variety of valid definitions and interpretations in the past centuries,
one of the commonly used academic definition is by Edward Tylor which
states that culture is “the complex whole which includes knowledge, belief,
art, morals, law, customs, and any other capabilities and habits acquired…
as member of society” (qtd. in Johnson 2). Although this definition provides
368368UNITASCRUZ, RONQUILLO: MAPPING URBAN
a good initial idea, its totalitarian nature poses certain problems such as in
providing a clear distinction between material and non-material processes.
According to modern authors such as Griffiths et al., in their book Introduction
to Sociology, “culture consists of thoughts and tangible things” (53) which
they later identified as material and non-material cultures. While material
cultures are physical objects and possessions of a group of people, non-ma-
terial culture in contrary, consists of “ideas, attitudes and beliefs of a society”
(Griffiths 53). For the purpose of this paper, particular material and non-ma-
terial cultures were identified and analysed. These are (a) building types; (b)
open spaces and greeneries, which are material cultures, and; (d) religion; (e)
organizations; and (f) traditions/customs, non-material cultures.
These cultural aspects were identified and analysed through a triangu-
lation using streetscape characterization, transect walk and key informants’
interview (KII). Mapping of the abovementioned aspects of culture shall be
done to assist the analysis of streetscapes.
Streetscape is defined as “spatial arrangement and visual appearances
of built and landscape features when viewed from the street” (Australian
Environmental Planning Act 1979 qtd. in Tucker, et al. 519). One way of
presenting it is through architectural photography. Architectural photog-
raphy may be presented in various ways, such as spot photography or
panoramic photography. According to Panorama Streetline, there are two
ways to present a panoramic view of a street depending on the viewpoint.
The first is the classic panorama which is taken from one viewpoint, and
the second one is the linear streetline panorama which is a multi-viewpoint
panorama (see figures 1 and 2).
Fig. 1. Partially stitched Arambulo St., Barangay Kanluran. Noel Cruz and Kimberly Ronquillo.
369369UNITASCRUZ, RONQUILLO: MAPPING URBAN
For this project, the researchers chose the production of linear streetline
panoramas as they present more of the complete street front with less distor-
tion and present the building elevations at a similar scale. These streetscapes
will be supported by field notes and random informal interviews with local
residents during the photo documentation.
The transect walk is the observation, documentation, and mapping of
the selected streets by the researchers with some selected local experts. The
key informants interview (KII) on the other hand is the one-on-one inter-
view with five key informants from Barangay Kanluran.
Following the prescribed ethnographic method by Walcott (1994) found
in Portus’ Doing Social Science Research guidebook, the researchers processed
the data through (a) description; (b) analysis; and (c) interpretation.
Case Study AreaThe selected area is Barangay Kanluran in the City of Santa Rosa, Laguna,
Philippines. Although it is one of the smallest barangays in terms of
population density and land area, it is part of the Heritage-Institutional
Redevelopment Area of the city.
Santa Rosa City, one of the fastest developing cities of the Philippines
and currently known as the “Investment Capital of Southern Luzon,” is
Fig. 2. Viewpoint difference between linear streetline and classic panorama. Panorama Streetline, https://panoramastreetline.com/.
370370UNITASCRUZ, RONQUILLO: MAPPING URBAN
undergoing a rapid and drastic change in its urban fabric. In general, there
has been a drastic increase in the urban land uses (residential, commercial,
industrial, institutional, and infrastructural) with a corresponding decrease
in the rural land uses (agricultural and idle). Due to the rapid urban devel-
opment, it is not just the urban fabric of the city which has changed signifi-
cantly, but also its the population profile. Barangay Kanluran, being the
bearer of Santa Rosa’s historical identity, is no exception to this.
The selected study areas are three streets in Barangay Kanluran, namely,
Gomez, Zavalla, and Arambulo. Gomez Street can be considered as the main
avenue in the barangay, being connected to the poblacion (old city center
where the plaza, the old municipal hall, and the old church are located) and
to other barangays. Zavalla Street is another important street connecting
the ancestral houses of the Zavalla, Tiongco, and Perlas families. Arambulo
Street has been considered for this study, for its unique street profile and
because it connects Gomez and Zavalla streets.
371371UNITASCRUZ, RONQUILLO: MAPPING URBAN
Aspects of Culture
Streetscape Characteri-zation Transect Walk Key Informants Interview
Mat
eria
l Cul
ture
Building(Building ty-
pology, build-ing materials, street profile)
Building typology is mostly residential, fenced and unfenced; they are all
attached directly to the street. Those unfenced
usually have small store fronts called sari-sari store
in the Philippine context and some small food stalls
called carinderia. There are also some institutional, commercial, and religious
establishments which noticeably follow the front setback requirements by
the local code. Old houses follow the bahay na bato design
where the lower ground floor has concrete walls and the upper floor walls are made of wood with capiz sliding windows.
Interesting as well is the use of brise soleil made of wood fronting some of the
windows.
There are provisions for electrical lamp posts and sidewalks which, however,
are not well organized.
Streets are commonly lined with residential structures, most of which have store
fronts attached to the sidewalk. There are some parts of the street where sari-sari stores are too close to each other. It is
noticeable that in Gomez and Arambulo Streets,
residential buildings have small frontages unlike in Zavalla Street where properties are bigger,
justified by the presence of big important ancestral
houses.
A particular brise soleil design common in Santa
Rosa can be seen in some of the houses.
It can be observed that commercial buildings followed the setback
requirements.
There are some parts of the streets where private vehicles and tricycles are parked outside houses.
Sidewalks are not consis-tently placed. There are also some open canals.
Based on the economic interviews, it was acknowl-
edged the presence of a number of sari-sari stores
and small food stalls attached to the front of the houses which according to
them are regulated.
Most streets in Kanluran are lined with residential buildings. Street widths
according to some infor-mants are not consistent if
you compare them.
Some parts of the street do not have sidewalk even
though walking is very common among residents.
Open spaces and green-
eries
Open spaces are not common in the observed
streets except for the Plaza in front of the Santa Rosa Church in Gomez Street. Some residential proper-ties have front and side setbacks although they
are fenced. There are still some vacant lots.
Trees are present in some private lots and on some parts of the sidewalks.
Noticeable are the trees not just inside private lots but also along the
sidewalks. Greeneries are abundant in some residen-
tial structures as well.
Open space is quite scarce in the barangay except for the Plaza in the old poblacion and inside
some private residential properties.
Greeneries and trees are still present in some resi-
dential properties. The plaza being an asset
to the community also has economic value especially
during city festivities.
Table 1. Descriptions and Data Gathered During the Streetscape Characterization, Transect Walk, and Key Informants Interview (KII)
Description
372372UNITASCRUZ, RONQUILLO: MAPPING URBAN
Non
-Mat
eria
l Cul
ture
Religion
The religions famous in the locals can be identi-fied with the presence of churches–Santa Rosa de Lima (Catholic), Iglesia ni
Cristo and a catholic chap-el called “Lolo Uweng.”
Based on interviews and site observation, present religions in Kanluran are: Catholic, Iglesia ni Cristo, Aglipay, Born Again and
Jehovah’s Witness.
Churches are a popular place for worship and socialization among
residents.
Organizations
Tricycle terminals are present in some parts,
regulated by the Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ As-sociation (TODA). A senior citizen group is also active
in the barangay.
Tricycle terminals are regulated by the Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Association although
locations are quite organic and not included in the city
plan.
A senior citizen organiza-tion is very active in the
barangay.
Traditions/Customs
The “tingi” (retail) system represented by the pres-
ence of sari-sari or variety stores.
The “tingi” (retail) and lending systems are
famous in the barangay with the presence of stores in front/attached to some houses. Concentration of their present is noticeable in some streets especially
those of Arambulo and Gomez.
Religious traditions include processions, Friday and Sunday devotions and mass services respec-
tively.
Traditions and festivities are linked with the plaza
and the churches. As well as in front of stores.
Table 1, continued.
Fig. 3. Sample streetscape showing the building classifications based on use and typology. Noel Cruz and Kimberly Ronquillo. (Detail on later page)
373373UNITASCRUZ, RONQUILLO: MAPPING URBAN
Fig. 4. Map showing the composition of the selected streets based on the building types and use. GIS base map provided by the Tax Assessor’s Office of the City of Santa Rosa.
374374UNITASCRUZ, RONQUILLO: MAPPING URBAN
AnalysisBelow is a summary of all the results from the data gather and
the map produced based on the streetscape documentation group
according to the established aspects of culture. In general, it can be
said that material cultures, especially buildings, play an important
role in the development and persistence of non-material cultures.
Material Culture
1. Building. The most common building type in Barangay
Kanluran is the residential structure. Clusters of resi-
dences have store fronts for sari-sari store or carinderia
which most of the time are very close to each other.
Houses are either of Spanish colonial period bahay-na-bato
(made of stone) style or modern, which varies from one-
to two-storeys, old and new. Building materials used are
not so diverse, but the use of brise soleil is quite noticeable
as this building feature is present in other parts of Santa
Rosa. Other building types present are religious, institu-
tional, and commercial. It can be noticed that these bigger
structures follow the easement requirements by the local
codes as most residential units are directly attached to the
sidewalk. Street profiles are quite diverse in some parts–
sidewalk provision is not consistent, residential building
fronts are used as parking space for tricycles and private
vehicles.
2. Open spaces and greeneries. Open space is scarce in Kanluran
and the only prominent open public space is the plaza in
front of the Santa Rosa de Lima Church. Greeneries are
still abundant although most can be found inside private
residential properties.
Fig.
3.
Sam
ple
stre
etsc
ape,
deta
il.
375375UNITASCRUZ, RONQUILLO: MAPPING URBAN
Non-material Culture
1. Organizations. Organizations that are common in Kanluran are the
Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association and the Senior Citizens
Organization.
2. Religion. Religions that are present in Kanluran are Catholic,
Aglipay, Iglesia ni Kristo and Jehovah’s Witness.
3. Traditions/Customs. Most famous religious traditions that are the
annual Holy Week processions of the Catholics and Aglipays, feast
day procession of St. Rose, the Friday devotion in Lolo Uweng
Chapel, and the Mass Services of the different churches. Another
common tradition connected to commerce is the “tingi” (retail) and
the lending systems.
Interpretation and ConclusionNon-material cultures developed in the community are very much connected
and are highly influenced by the material cultures especially the building
types. The historic establishment of the Church of Santa Rosa de Lima, after
which the City was named, has kept its influence through the established
traditions such as processions during feast days and holy week, and the reli-
gious devotions such as those in the Chapel of Lolo Uweng. Filipino religiosity
is also evident not only in the established religious traditions of the Catholic
Church but also in the presence of churches of other local religious sects.
It is also interesting how the residential buildings have evolved into
having commercial store fronts such as sari-sari (variety) stores and carinderia
(eatery). A sari-sari store is a store where residents can buy products in retail
and small portions, although collectively they would cost a bit higher. It can
be said to be a “win-win” situation where low income store owners get their
source of income free of tax, while customers are satisfied with being able
to get their daily needs in close proximity to their houses in small portion
that is just enough for their daily budget. In the vernacular, this is called
the “tingi” (retail) system, It is interesting to find that their locations are
clustered (see fig. 4, carinderia in yellow and fig. 3, sari-sari stores in blue
dots) which will provide more diverse product options for buyers. These
376376UNITASCRUZ, RONQUILLO: MAPPING URBAN
small-scale enterprises provide the venue and promote the culture of human
connections. It is common that since neighbors know each other, customers
and store owners create small talks even on a daily basis. According to Ba,
sari-sari stores allow credit for frequent buyers that is based on trust and
familiarity (“The Role of Home-based”). Another interesting result of the
establishment of sari-sari stores is that they act as an “eye for the street,” as
store owners are usually stationed near their store counters.
It is common among Filipino communities in general to use street fronts
connected to residential properties as an extension of their private activities,
such as drying of clothes and parking of private vehicles. This is interpreted
by Stone as the concept of “transitory possession or use of public spaces”
wherein public property, rather than being owned by all, belongs to no one
or to those who will use the public space “first” (qtd. in Drummond 2384).
This concept is quite similar to the trend of squatting private properties.
This seems to be a generally accepted notion, and results to several problems
related to traffic and the public use of spaces.
Based on interviews, it is not a common notion among residents
that ancestral houses present in the barangay are a source of pride for the
community, except for those families owning the houses even though the
city government has already recognized the barangay’s historical impor-
tance. Heritage for most residents is only connected to the old poblacion, the
church, and the plaza.
Based on these findings, it can be said that while communities thrive and
develop, regulation on the use of public spaces is an important mover of a
society that must be looked into at the governance level. Another important
thing is the enforcement of local codes and ordinances such as those related
to easement requirements. Narrowing of streets due to the private use of
street edges may have been avoided if easement codes have been strictly
enforced.
Lastly, resiliency that has already become a trademark of Filipinos as
an individual and as a community is something that is generally kept in
almost all societies. It is important to note that even though the commu-
nity is continuously evolving, it is still evident through the establishment
377377UNITASCRUZ, RONQUILLO: MAPPING URBAN
of sari-sari stores in Barangay Kanluran that the community has developed
small cultures of mutual trust and bayanihan, which refers to the spirit of
communal unity and cooperation towards common good.
378378UNITASCRUZ, RONQUILLO: MAPPING URBAN
Acknowledgment
University of Santo Tomas-Newton Agham Institutional Link Project,
Institutional Links grant, ID 332241573. This paper was presented during
the MESA International Conference, “The Missing Map: Mapping Social
Impacts” at the University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom on June
26, 2019.
379379UNITASCRUZ, RONQUILLO: MAPPING URBAN
Works Cited
Ba, Haiqi. “The Role of Home-based Micro-enterprice in Community Building: Base on the Observation in Public Housing Area in Metro Manila.” Lund University
Housing Development and Management – HDM, 2016, http://www.hdm.lth.se/fileadmin/hdm/Education/Undergrad/ABAN06_2016/The_Role_of_Home-based_Micro-enterprice_in_Community_Building_Haiqi_BAI.pdf. Accessed 14 June 2019.
Bain, Lesley, Barbara Gray, and Dave Rodgers. Living Streets: Strategies for Crafting
Public Space. John Wiley & Sons, 2012.City of Santa Rosa, 2018. “Comprehensive Land Use Plan 2018-2026.”Creative City Network of Canada. “Cultural Mapping Toolkit: A Partnership Between
2010 Legacies Now and Creative City Network of Canada.” Accessed 14 June 2019, https://www.creativecity.ca/database/files/library/cultural_mapping_toolkit.pdf.
Drummond, Lisa B. W. “Street Scenes: Practices of Public and Private Space in urban Vietnam.” Urban Studies, vol. 37, no. 12, 2000, pp. 2377-2391.
GlobalPeople. “What is culture? A compilation of quotations.” Accessed 16 June 2019, https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/globalpeople2.
Griffiths, Heather, et al. Introduction to Sociology. Houston TX, OpenStax, 2015. Hartanti, N.B., and W. Martokusumo. “Streetscape connectivity and the making of
urban identity. Case Study: Bogor.” Great Asian Streets Symposium. CASA Centre of Advanced Studies in Architecture, 2014.
Johnson, Matthew. “What Is Culture? What Does It Do? What Should It Do?” Evaluating Culture. Palgrave Macmillan, London. 2013, https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137313799_5.
Kaymaz, Isil. “Urban Landscapes and Identity.” Advances in Landscape Architecture,
edited by Murat Ozyavuz, IntechOpen, 1 July 2013, www.intechopen.com/books/advances-in-landscape-architecture/urban-landscapes-and-identity.
Panorama Streetline. “Classic Streetlines.” https://panoramastreetline.com/.Portus, Lourdes M. Doing Social Science Research: A Guidebook. Philippine Social
Science Council, 2018.Santosa, H., J. Ernawati, and Lisa Dwi Wulandari. “Visual quality evaluation of
urban commercial streetscape for the development of landscape visual plan-ning system in provincial street corridors in Malang, Indonesia.” IOP Conference
Series: Earth and Environmental Science, vol. 126, no. 1, 2002, https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-1315/126/1/012202/pdf.
380380UNITASCRUZ, RONQUILLO: MAPPING URBAN
Tucker, C., Ostwald, M., Chalup, S., and Marshall, J. A method for the visual analysis
of the streetscape. University of Newcastle, 2018, pp. 519-529. Retrieved 17 May 2019, from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Stephan_Chalup/publi-cation/228641191_A_method_for_the_visual_analysis_of_the_streetscape/links/0fcfd511b3ff34d81c000000.pdf
Venegas, Kristan M., and Adrian H. Huerta. “Urban ethnography: Approaches, perspectives and challenges.” New Approaches to Qualitative Research, edited by Maggi Savin-Baden and Claire Howell Major, pp. 170-177. Routledge, 2010.