This research project will focus on special case studies or sites of interest around the city of York where decision-making processes are underway. This section acts as both a site to keep you up to date on these projects but also to encourage you to get involved, to come to our events or to have your own say on what’s going on.
Thinking about decisions differently
There are lots of things to think about when considering decisions about water in the city. For example, it is of upmost importance to ensure people’s safety and to protect homes. However there are also other things to consider, such as who else lives with the rivers – what species live in the riverine ecosystems in your area and how might they react to certain decisions about their river?
Similarly when thinking about our own relationship with the rivers, what is it we want to see? Do we all want the same thing or different things and is that possible? For example do we want to see a pristine ‘wild’ image of a meandering river through a park, or do we prefer our rivers to be orderly and neat and tidy. Do we want to sit by the river for a leisurely afternoon or a work-break lunch? Or maybe walking or cycling by the river is really important as a commute to work.
Lastly, how might the river react to these decisions? Maybe the history of the land will have a say in where water prefers to travel through the city? The idea of water ‘reacting’ or ‘preferring’ to travel in certain directions may seem odd, but it might also encourage us to try thinking differently about water.
These are all things to think about when looking at these case studies around York and things to consider when hearing people’s own stories and conversations about water.
Living Well with Water 