Tomas Wikström - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Tomas Wikström

In this text (published on the Internet) I draw parallels between the phenomenon of ubiquitous co... more In this text (published on the Internet) I draw parallels between the phenomenon of ubiquitous computing of the 90ies and today’s social media. The general idea, as the title indicates, is that ubiquitous computing has finally found a purpose beyond experimental surroundings and avant-garde office applications: to allow people to be social in a sense that expands over the borders of conventional co-presence. With today’s small communication gadgets, the power of a hundred years of electronic media is set free to invade all spaces of our daily lives. In a certain sense of the word, we live in a time of ubiquitous sociality.

In part 1 of this article, the basic idea was that these days ubiquitous computing is realized th... more In part 1 of this article, the basic idea was that these days ubiquitous computing is realized through the explosive commercial development of gadgets with screens of all sizes. Potentially anywhere, we have access to computer power and Internet connections via a tab, a pad or a board (to use Weiser’s terms). When linking ubicomp in this widespread form with human communication and social media, one becomes aware of sociality as an ever-present phenomenon. Is then ubiquitous sociality an interesting term – and what does it imply as a daily life phenomenon? Has ubicomp finally found its purpose within social media – and in unrestrained socializing at the watering holes of the public realm or in the nooks and crannies of home?

Time flies. In 2010, this paper was NOT accepted by one of the European scientific magazines, pro... more Time flies. In 2010, this paper was NOT accepted by one of the European scientific magazines, probably due to its format of an overview rather than a more narrow paper. When I look back on it today, I still find it worth reading. Of course it does not contain reflections upon the last years development of smart phones. Please read if you like and feel free to comment on anything.

Abstract
Two decades after its introduction on the consumers’ market, the cell phone still incite to putting fundamental questions about how people should relate to each other and how life should be lived. The irritation of being disturbed in public by the intimate sociality of others seems to be an eternal issue. But below the turbulent surface, other questions are building up, questions concerning living in dispersed urban landscapes; coordination among members of communities; and the transformation of public space. Since the turn of the millennium, the interest in mobile telephony indeed has exploded within for instance urban studies and related fields of research. In this text, I make use of this multifarious research and my own observations to draw some preliminary conclusions concerning the effects on urban public environments.
Keywords: mobile phone, cell phone, community, public space, public domain, urban tribe, mobile community

[With a large number of illustrations] Utbyggnaden av en ny stadsdel i nordöstra Lund i anslut... more [With a large number of illustrations]

Utbyggnaden av en ny stadsdel i nordöstra Lund i anslutning till forskningsanläggningarna MAX IV och ESS innebär ett planeringsarbete som ska resultera i den funktionsblandade stadsdelen Brunnshög med 2–3000 bostäder och verksamheter med 15–20 000 sysselsatta. Brunnshög skisseras som en blandstad med tät och stadsmässig bebyggelse. Stor vikt läggs därför vid gaturummen och det offentliga livet i den framtida stadsdelen. Denna forskningsöversikt har utarbetats för att bidra till kunskapsunderlaget om stadsmiljöns betydelse för kreativitet och innovation.

MobiScape – mobiliteter och mötesplatser i det nya stadslandskapet – är ett forskningsprogram ino... more MobiScape – mobiliteter och mötesplatser i det nya stadslandskapet – är ett forskningsprogram inom Forskargruppen för urbana studier vid Institutionen för arkitektur och byggd miljö, Lunds universitet.
Programmet handlar om den rörliga tillvaro som är en realitet för alltfler människor i vårt samhälle. I detta mobila vardagsliv ingår platser som är utspridda i en glesare eller tätare väv av stadskärnor och småorter, förorter och externa köpcentra. I detta stadslandskap har mobilen en viktig roll för interaktion och koordination. I programmet ingår två forskningsprojekt:
Det levda stadslandskapet (med stöd av Vetenskapsrådet) och
Trajektorier och platser i det nya stadslandskapet (FORMAS).
Forskningsrapport 2010.

Still two decades after its humble introduction on the consumers’ market, the cell phone work in ... more Still two decades after its humble introduction on the consumers’ market, the cell phone work in the minds of people and incite to putting fundamental questions about how people should relate to each other and how life should be lived. Most noticeable, still, is the annoyance over the kinds of use that make people feel invaded by the intimate sociality of others.
But below the turbulent surface, other questions are building up, questions concerning living in dispersed urban landscapes. Since the turn of the millennium, the interest in mobile telephony indeed has exploded within cultural and social theory. In my contribution, I make use of this multifarious research to sketch some empirical and theoretical questions concerning urban public environments.
Conference Architectural Inquiries, Göteborg 2008

Nordic Journal of Architectural Research, Jan 1, 2005

What kind of space is a stairwell? How do we use stairs and what do the do to us? Through the 20t... more What kind of space is a stairwell? How do we use stairs and what do the do to us? Through the 20th century history of residential housing, the stairs stand out as one of the most neglected spaces from an architectonic point of view. Treated as a mere functional space, allowing transportation of people and furniture and a safe escape in case of fire, the stairwell and adjoining passages were always targets for saving dwelling space and building costs. However, in fiction — novels as well as movies — stairs and corridors are often portrayed as exiting, poetic, dramatic and problematic spaces where human life is driven to an extreme.
ENHR Conference Gävle 2000

In this text (published on the Internet) I draw parallels between the phenomenon of ubiquitous co... more In this text (published on the Internet) I draw parallels between the phenomenon of ubiquitous computing of the 90ies and today’s social media. The general idea, as the title indicates, is that ubiquitous computing has finally found a purpose beyond experimental surroundings and avant-garde office applications: to allow people to be social in a sense that expands over the borders of conventional co-presence. With today’s small communication gadgets, the power of a hundred years of electronic media is set free to invade all spaces of our daily lives. In a certain sense of the word, we live in a time of ubiquitous sociality.

In part 1 of this article, the basic idea was that these days ubiquitous computing is realized th... more In part 1 of this article, the basic idea was that these days ubiquitous computing is realized through the explosive commercial development of gadgets with screens of all sizes. Potentially anywhere, we have access to computer power and Internet connections via a tab, a pad or a board (to use Weiser’s terms). When linking ubicomp in this widespread form with human communication and social media, one becomes aware of sociality as an ever-present phenomenon. Is then ubiquitous sociality an interesting term – and what does it imply as a daily life phenomenon? Has ubicomp finally found its purpose within social media – and in unrestrained socializing at the watering holes of the public realm or in the nooks and crannies of home?

Time flies. In 2010, this paper was NOT accepted by one of the European scientific magazines, pro... more Time flies. In 2010, this paper was NOT accepted by one of the European scientific magazines, probably due to its format of an overview rather than a more narrow paper. When I look back on it today, I still find it worth reading. Of course it does not contain reflections upon the last years development of smart phones. Please read if you like and feel free to comment on anything.

Abstract
Two decades after its introduction on the consumers’ market, the cell phone still incite to putting fundamental questions about how people should relate to each other and how life should be lived. The irritation of being disturbed in public by the intimate sociality of others seems to be an eternal issue. But below the turbulent surface, other questions are building up, questions concerning living in dispersed urban landscapes; coordination among members of communities; and the transformation of public space. Since the turn of the millennium, the interest in mobile telephony indeed has exploded within for instance urban studies and related fields of research. In this text, I make use of this multifarious research and my own observations to draw some preliminary conclusions concerning the effects on urban public environments.
Keywords: mobile phone, cell phone, community, public space, public domain, urban tribe, mobile community

[With a large number of illustrations] Utbyggnaden av en ny stadsdel i nordöstra Lund i anslut... more [With a large number of illustrations]

Utbyggnaden av en ny stadsdel i nordöstra Lund i anslutning till forskningsanläggningarna MAX IV och ESS innebär ett planeringsarbete som ska resultera i den funktionsblandade stadsdelen Brunnshög med 2–3000 bostäder och verksamheter med 15–20 000 sysselsatta. Brunnshög skisseras som en blandstad med tät och stadsmässig bebyggelse. Stor vikt läggs därför vid gaturummen och det offentliga livet i den framtida stadsdelen. Denna forskningsöversikt har utarbetats för att bidra till kunskapsunderlaget om stadsmiljöns betydelse för kreativitet och innovation.

MobiScape – mobiliteter och mötesplatser i det nya stadslandskapet – är ett forskningsprogram ino... more MobiScape – mobiliteter och mötesplatser i det nya stadslandskapet – är ett forskningsprogram inom Forskargruppen för urbana studier vid Institutionen för arkitektur och byggd miljö, Lunds universitet.
Programmet handlar om den rörliga tillvaro som är en realitet för alltfler människor i vårt samhälle. I detta mobila vardagsliv ingår platser som är utspridda i en glesare eller tätare väv av stadskärnor och småorter, förorter och externa köpcentra. I detta stadslandskap har mobilen en viktig roll för interaktion och koordination. I programmet ingår två forskningsprojekt:
Det levda stadslandskapet (med stöd av Vetenskapsrådet) och
Trajektorier och platser i det nya stadslandskapet (FORMAS).
Forskningsrapport 2010.

Still two decades after its humble introduction on the consumers’ market, the cell phone work in ... more Still two decades after its humble introduction on the consumers’ market, the cell phone work in the minds of people and incite to putting fundamental questions about how people should relate to each other and how life should be lived. Most noticeable, still, is the annoyance over the kinds of use that make people feel invaded by the intimate sociality of others.
But below the turbulent surface, other questions are building up, questions concerning living in dispersed urban landscapes. Since the turn of the millennium, the interest in mobile telephony indeed has exploded within cultural and social theory. In my contribution, I make use of this multifarious research to sketch some empirical and theoretical questions concerning urban public environments.
Conference Architectural Inquiries, Göteborg 2008

Nordic Journal of Architectural Research, Jan 1, 2005

What kind of space is a stairwell? How do we use stairs and what do the do to us? Through the 20t... more What kind of space is a stairwell? How do we use stairs and what do the do to us? Through the 20th century history of residential housing, the stairs stand out as one of the most neglected spaces from an architectonic point of view. Treated as a mere functional space, allowing transportation of people and furniture and a safe escape in case of fire, the stairwell and adjoining passages were always targets for saving dwelling space and building costs. However, in fiction — novels as well as movies — stairs and corridors are often portrayed as exiting, poetic, dramatic and problematic spaces where human life is driven to an extreme.
ENHR Conference Gävle 2000