Methodology for Rhythm Analysis in Urban Contexts

This chapter discusses the methodology that has been developed during City Rhythm research for establishing the rhythm perspective on urban social issues in a neighbourhood in order to define new solution spaces . The student work in the six case studies shows that the rhythm perspective of an urban social issue works as a boundary object, creating new avenues for these issues to be addressed. The making of boundary objects facilitates the sharing of a common language for enabling such collaboration (Leigh Star 2010). The different communities of practice make use of boundary objects in order to support their interaction and collaboration (Arias & Fischer 2000). As a result, more stakeholders collaborate in the identification of solution spaces, leading to new kinds of interventions. According to the discussions with the municipalities, such an approach opens up new fields of policy making.