This section describes how the methods and data outputs outlined were synthesised and analysed in order to address each of the research objectives and questions. Each research question drew on a mix of data types in different combinations, according to which were most appropriate, and derived from the methods outlined above (Section 3.6). The indicative hypotheses of this
research designed to address the research objectives (Table 3.4) are re- presented in Tables 3.8 to 3.12 below, alongside the outcome measures and variables followed by a brief description of how these were obtained.
The activities on allotments and AFNs were explored in terms of capital assets through a combination of analysis of statistical sources, data from participant observations and interviews, images and existing texts (Table 3.10).
Table 3.10 Research objective one: identifying activities on Plymouth allotments (Source: author)
Hypotheses Variables / outcome measures
Food and non-food are differentially produced and valued (Cook 2006)
Activities on allotments involve all dimensions of capital similar to those described for post-productivist agriculture
(Wilson 2007, Pearson et al. 2010)
Allotments and AFNs represent a quality turn (Ilbery and Kneafsey 2000)
Allotments and AFNs represent a bridging of cultures and natures (Bhatti and Church 2001, Bakker 2010)
Food produced Health and wellbeing Social and natural capital Asset availability and needs
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Data generated on the extent and characteristics of activities of food and non- food production on allotments were investigated in order to address the hypothesis that they are differentially important to tenants, vary according to a range of factors, and involve all types of capitals. A major component in
addressing this research objective was the use of proxy data from existing studies and cases elsewhere to indicate future possible scenarios and to help reveal the structures and mechanisms at play, or the ‘real’ and ‘potential’ layers of allotment praxis.
The relations on Plymouth allotments were explored through data from participant observations and interviews, with reference to statistical and secondary sources including unpublished and published literature. as given in Table 3.11.
Table 3.11 Research objective two: defining relations on Plymouth allotments (Source: author)
Hypotheses Variables / outcome measures
Key characteristics of relations on allotments are non-monetary transactions (Ellen and Platten 2011 )
Gender divisions of labour still exist (Buckingham 2005)
Co-operation and competition are differentially balanced compared to conventional food networks but social capital can be broken as well as built (Fajans 1988 )
Potential exists for income-earning opportunities as previously seen in continuums of allotments and smallholdings (Crouch and Ward 1997, Halfacree 2006, Maxey 2011 )
Relations can be conceptualised as diverse economies (Gibson- Graham 2008)
Allotments and AFNs represent new social norms of care (Dowler et
al. 2010 )
Time spent
Gift/exchange features Relations of cooperation and competition
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The variables given in Table 3.11 enabled exploration of the related hypotheses through the conceptualisation of allotments as diverse economies. The
characteristic factors that are described in the literature on diverse economies were applied as a framework to allotments and AFNs in the case study area. The concept of social capital used to explore the hypotheses above was also relevant to the next research objective, of defining the politics on Plymouth allotments, as outlined in Table 3.12.
Table 3.12 Research objective three: identifying politics on allotments (Source: author)
Hypotheses Variables / outcome measures
Participation in governance of allotments is dependent on key individuals (Becher 2010)
Access to city space is limited by funding and perception of land as ‘real-estate’ (Heynen and Perkins 2005)
Heterodox valuations could demonstrate benefits of allotment praxis (Pretty et al. 2005a, 2005b, SDC 2007)
Social movements, or new groupings, are providing new narratives that challenge previous conceptions of rurality (Crouch and Ward 1997, Yarwood 2005, Wainwright 2010)
Access to allotments
Involvement in site management City and translocal resource allocations Related social movements
Narratives employed by different stakeholders
Addressing the research objective to define politics on Plymouth allotments (Table 3.12) involved drawing on generated data and policy documents, and combining these with findings from other areas documented in the literature with in order to gauge outcomes. Through analysis of the data described above, the conceptual framework of spatial justice and new social movements (Harvey 2003, Ruggerio and Montagna 2008) was concluded to be of use in further analysis of alternative food networks (see Section 5.6 below), as was the concept of food networks as social-ecological systems (Walker et al. 2002).
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Thus, the focus of the subsequent research question, on the relations between allotments and AFNs, was addressed through hypotheses relating to system evolution and learning, as depicted in Table 3.13.
Table 3.13 Research objective four: determining how allotments relate to alternative food networks in Plymouth (Source: author)
Hypotheses Variables / outcome measures
Systems approaches facilitate understanding of activities, relations and discourses (Ostrom 2008, Mann 2009)
Learning and linking are key characteristics (Armitage et al. 2008) Allotments and AFNs have impacts on the resilience and
sustainability of the urban population in the study area (Morgan 2009, Wilson 2012 )
Allotments and AFNs can be viewed as different components of evolving social-ecological systems (Wiltshire and Geoghegan 2012)
Emergence of networks and connections Flexibility and diversity in connections Sustainability and resilience narratives Asset bases
Place identity
Social narratives and values
The fourth research objective (Table 3.13) was addressed through synthesising findings from analyses of the first three objectives, and referencing these against the conceptual models outlined above, of multidimensional capitals/assets, diverse economies, spatial justice, and of resilience and sustainability explored through systems thinking and political ecology. Policy documents, texts and images were analysed to elicit patterns of activities and events in networks within the city and beyond.
The overall aim of the research was to add to the literature, in this case on allotments and alternative food networks. Thus the findings were also analysed for their implications for future theorising and conceptualisations, as shown in Table 3.14.
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Table 3.14 PhD objective: contributing to geographies of allotments and AFNs
Hypotheses
Variables / outcome measures
Political ecology and critical realism together provide an ontological and epistemological framework that can clarify factors and activities in AFNs.
Communication of good practice and research findings in different ‘languages’ enables learning.
‘Mapping’ of AFN factors according to theoretical frameworks
Findings referred to globalisation/ neoliberalism/internationalism, diverse economies, Structure/agency
Conceptual: Synthesis and analysis of research findings and literature
Broadening out analyses to national and global scales through further
exploration of policies, literature and reflection on research activities helped to address the aim of contributing to geographical literature through
consideration of diverse place-specific as well as contextual factors related to alternative food networks.