Shifting Spaces
Community Development in Archaeological Zones: Case Atudy in San Juan el Alto Plazuelas, Guanajuato
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Ma. Eugenia Sanchez Ramos, Laura Elena Zarate Negrete, Carmen Dolores Barroso García
By community we mean a group of people group of people living in a given geographic area and interacting among them, defining diverse among themselves, defining diverse social dynamics and, as defined by Andreu (2008), often not determined by limits or boundaries. This work is developed based on the theory of community psychology, focusing specifically on the specifically on the so-called empowerment, considering authors such as Musito and Buelga (2004) who propose alternatives for proactive, positive and preventive solutions to problems. The present study aims to and document the community development of San Juan El Alto, Plazuelas, Gto. since the beginning of the exploration works with a view to the opening of its archaeological site, in order to the opening of its archaeological site, as well as the initiatives proposed for the improvement of the village through its participation in the program called Traditional cooks carried out by the Secretary of Tourism of the State of Guanajuato (SECTUR). The initiatives of the villagers themselves in order to strengthen the economy through tourism, and the tourism, and raising awareness about the preservation and conservation of the pre-Hispanic preservation and conservation of the pre-Hispanic heritage of which they are a part. The research has a qualitative, descriptive, exploratory and field descriptive, exploratory and field-based approach, using group interviews with key informants to obtain data collection and participant observation.The methodology consists of the following phases: documentary research, field research, semi-structured interview design and application of semi-structured interviews, data analysis, conclusion and writing.
Campus Design: Feeling Unsafe and the Impact on Women and Gender Diverse Students
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Connie Guberman
University campuses across Canada and beyond are making significant capital investments to upgrade their built environments. They are creating modern and experimental active learning spaces. Classroom designs now regularly include interactive technology, address greater accessibility, and flexible seating and tables, all with the intention of enhancing student participation. These innovations, albeit welcome, are missing a critical awareness of the gendered use of space. A significant number of women and non-binary students are experiencing violence and harm at college and university campuses, findings which have been reproduced in many studies over the past three decades. Both the experience, fear and threat of violence in its many forms prevents students from fully engaging in their learning and in co-curricular campus activities – in effect, an impediment to equal access to education. Design and acts of violence or harm in public spaces do not have a simple causal relationship, however, there is evidence that suggests that design can have an impact on opportunities for crime to be committed. This presentation discusses the findings from engaging women and non-binary students in a process of conducting gender-focused safety ‘audits’ of their campus, a process whereby their experiences inform the changes that are needed to make the place feel safer. The impact of such findings has already been used to inform campus police and facilities, architecture, and planning services, as well as the Dean of Students. The ultimate impact is that students report feeling safer when the concerns and needs they identify are addressed.
Ethnography of Domestic Space in Pichátaro: Housing as a Manifestation of Purépecha Identity, Modernity, and Autonomy
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Juan Carlos Lobato Valdespino, Jorge Humberto Flores Romero
This study analyzes the role of housing in Pichátaro, a Purépecha community in Michoacán, as an expression of their cultural identity in the context of their recent transition to self-governance. Through a mixed methodology combining ethnography and structured surveys, the study explores architectural elements that reflect community identity and how traditional and modern technologies are integrated into housing. The findings show that housing in Pichátaro is a space of negotiation between preserving Purépecha culture, adapting to contemporary demands, and affirming community autonomy. Although modern materials and technologies have been incorporated, such as industrialized construction systems and sustainable solutions, key features like the ekuarhu (central patio) and troje (granary) persist, symbolizing family and community ties. This phenomenon, which we call "vernacular modernity," illustrates the community's ability to integrate innovations without losing its cultural essence. Furthermore, the paper highlights how housing remains fundamental to social organization and intergenerational knowledge transmission. Facing global challenges such as migration and climate change, the community has developed strategies for housing to remain a space of cultural resistance and a symbol of autonomy, offering valuable lessons for other indigenous communities in similar contexts.
