Final Project time… 

It’s about time I revisited the blog-osphere to discuss my current project. 

THE STARTING POINT: Parkour and city spaces.

I was initially inspired by Parkour (freerunning) and the way the ‘traceur’ (Parkour participant) translates and uses the built environment in a completely different way, reframing public space. How can the movements and visions of Parkour be translated for others, creating a more experimental and engaging use of a city? Also how this physical activity outdoors can enhance the wellbeing of the participant.

After initial research and meetings with ‘Traceurs’, the philosophy of Parkour became more significant to me than the physical act; a positive mentality that can improve your day to day outlook on life.

“Learn to see things in a different way; as opportunities opposed to limitations’

For me, this outlook resembled the likes of the positive thinking employed in treating depression, initiating my next stage of research.

I identified people with mental health problems, predominantly depression, as my user. I wanted to explore how the metaphor of Parkour, and the translation of the city, could inspire others moving in the city, to help them engage with their environment in a richer way for their recovery. It was not about encouraging the same physical movement, but more the positive outlook and discovery of space.

“A space should put you in the mood - experiencing a space is equally as important as the movement itself”

This appreciation of space and the outdoors reminded me of the practice of ‘mindfulness’ and and how it can be utilised in battling depression, and more over the importance of outdoor activity in their recovery.

Next stage… user research!