The Ecology of Place and Space

Abstract

This chapter will draw upon the constructions of place and space in the narratives of young people. It will provide evidence that challenges the narrow definitions proclaimed by developmental criminologists of place (i.e. neighbourhood and community) and show how the ‘fields’ and ecological relationships identifiable in young people’s social maps are normalised, complex and constructed by a wide range of ‘structures’ and influences which are interlaced with power relationships. Place is embodied with knowledge, systems and fields of practice that are culturally defined and bounded by young people’s habitus. Issues of the implementation of policy and practice in places and spaces is also shown to be important and is a set of critical ecological factors that confirm the political nature of how the lives of the young are shaped in particular contexts. This discussion will also highlight the importance of victimisation of young people and their everyday witnessing of crime as critical components of the ‘criminogenic nexus’ of how young people encounter crime in places and spaces (Anderson et al., 1994; Brown, 2005) and how they manage risk in their everyday lives.