Micro-level mapping: Understanding service hubs from service users’ perspectives

This research project seeks to explore the resilience of Edmonton’s service hub in the wake of Housing First, which was introduced in 2009. The aim of the proposed study is to explore Edmonton’s service hub from the perspectives of homeless individuals.

Methodologically, it will adopt a bottom-up approach to mapping the city, from service users’ perspectives. I will recruit participants on a convenience basis, using GPS technology to track their daily movements, creating an individual service hub map. This method will be combined with auto-photography and unstructured interviews. This study will locate individual narratives within the changing terrains homeless governance, in order to explore the resilience of Edmonton’s service hub.

These methods will be used to explore a number of questions: 1) What are the individual’s patterns of service use? 2) What are their experiences of service use? 3) Which places are important to the individual and why? 4) How does this relate to the wider context of homeless governance?

Faculty Supervisor:

Joshua Evans

Student:

Partner:

Cardiff University

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Public Service, Policy, and Governance

University:

University of Alberta

Program: