links

Currently there is an explosion of work with similar sensibilities and preoccupations to SLAB.

Although it’s difficult to categorize it all, we wanted to share some links in order to give the bigger picture, to inspire, and to commiserate. One category, which we call critical cartography, is being explored gleefully by geographers, architects, artists, and planners. Our working definition of critical cartography is “mapping the unmapped”: it notices people and things that are overlooked or denied and it usually debunks professionalism with an anti-sleek visual vocabulary and techniques.

We have also noticed a renewed interest in street vendors, street foods, and a populist activism reconsidering public space. We find new energy and promise in moving away from talk about general “informality” to this new framing about specific livelihoods and their place in the city.

We welcome suggestions for links: contact us at: slab [at] mit [dot] edu