Here is the final of 3 reports on the digbeth regeneration from investigative artist Ruth Robinson

The ‘Digbeth 2008’ reports are part of the ongoing study ‘An Account of Profit & Loss’- research of regeneration in the midlands. This work has been carried out independently without the aid of mainstream funding a mission I undertook under the guise of the ‘MISC.ellaneous organization’. This experience has not only advanced my research project, but also provided a starting point for the evolution of Eastside. The findings contribute to an ongoing public conversation in the local area and hopefully will lead to a negotiation with developers and the hierarchy that they represent.

The adaptation of the artistic role can construct and reinforce community ties therefore building strategies that might lead to ‘communicative action’- an important principal of Habermasian theory. I hope that the space that I have occupied might now be handed to ordinary working people, having established a site for text that allows open and opinionated discussion. I am proud to have been part of other similar protests that unite our community, enforce change and allow for common debate.

Communication leads the way, but an extent of control is required in order for this to become effective. Chaos alone will not change anything in an area of regeneration- a balance is needed between compliance, understanding and respect for difference. Resistance to blogging and text splurge of a hedonistic nature, if well constructed and contextualised, will focus our recognition on how free space can cause change and effect in society.

Reprise
This exploration began on the sixteenth of January at the Digbeth Business Association’s ‘What they are planning for Digbeth’ event. Having spent 12 months looking at the changes in the area I am now hoping to share the data I have collected and utilise the findings of this research study. RHR2008.

You can find me at: http://miscorg.blogspot.com