Transition in place: Dynamics,possibilities, and constraints |
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| Institution: | 1. The University of Utah, Department of Geography, 332 S 1400 E Rm 217, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA;2. Department of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Reading, Whiteknights – PO Box 227, RG66AB Reading, UK;1. School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, Sweden;2. Centre for Sustainable Development, Uppsala University, Sweden;3. Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry, Viet Nam;4. Department of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa;5. Freelance Researcher, Poland;6. Grupo de Investigación de la Pesca Artesanal, Universidad Academia de Humanismo Cristiano, Chile |
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| Abstract: | The Transition Movement is a translocal phenomenon circulated through transnational grassroots networks. This study explores the geographies of the Transition Movement with a theoretical framework that perceives it as both a social movement and a grassroots innovation. Participant-observation of Transition Salt Lake (TSL), located in the suburban metropolis of Salt Lake City, Utah, was conducted, as the United States remains a largely understudied country in regards to this particular movement. In this pursuit, we asked: (i) how and what this transition initiative draws from geographically extensive and intensive relations, (ii) how it combines place-specific elements and generalized models (embeddedness), and (iii) how this impacts the success of the transition initiative and how these impacts (positive or negative) are generated. Place, space, and scale played a large role in defining the nature, dynamics, possibilities, and constraints of this transition initiative. Specifically, geographically intensive and extensive relations were critical for the mobilization of complementary resources. The Transition model was found to be flexible, allowing for the initiative to adopt those elements that worked in place and to focus on locally relevant topics. TSL faced many challenges identified by previous researchers regarding finances, participation, diversity, and intragroup competition. While networking with other similar groups, TSL demonstrated that fertile environments of activism are incubatory pools for grassroots innovations and social movements, and a trade-off was found with competition for resources between local groups. |
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| Keywords: | Transition movement Grassroots innovations Social movements Spatial organizational forms Place |
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