It’s easy to picture the University of Cambridge. Pale stone constructions, academics adorned with gowns, frantic students rushing between ancient libraries and Hogwarts-like dinner halls. It’s harder of course to imagine the city. Most people who try experience a mental block: whenever they think of the city, they can only picture the University. There is more to Cambridge however than meets the eye.
This blog post is your chance to experience a journey that dives deep into the various aspects of injustice lurking within Cambridge’s cobbled streets. It presents the work of my thesis which was analysing the interaction between the University of Cambridge and its surroundings in terms of spatial justice. These interactions, often ignored, hold a mirror up to the institutions they involve. And no, we’re not talking about some fairytale mirror. We’re diving into the realm of the „university-related fix.“
Before I go into what any of that means, let me explain my motivation. Why did I want to look at the way a university impacts its surroundings? Growing up in Cambridge I always felt like people looked at the University and measured its success through rankings, and research outputs. What people forget is that universities are also place-based institutions and so have undeniable and tangible interactions with and effects on the space in which they are located. I’m obviously not the first to notice this, but I felt that the current answers to the topic were missing something. They were either resorting to pure economic analysis or looking just at students. I felt like neither of these approaches allowed for a way to look at a university’s impact holistically.
That’s why I chose a different approach, looking at the impact of the university-related fix on residents in Cambridge. Sounds like something from a construction manual, right? But this isn’t about fixing engine pipes; it’s about untangling the complex web of interactions that universities have with their surroundings. What the university-related fix captures is essentially the actions of the university, but also things such as student housing and pubs, technology research centres, and other developments that are likely to only have occurred because the university is there. This means it allows for looking at the impact of a university on its surroundings broadly as it can capture the wider impacts of the university’s presence there.
Now for the theoretical part. To investigate how the university-related fix impacted residents, I came up with my own framework based on the concept of spatial justice. Why spatial and not social justice? Well, let’s just say that in academia space has often been forgotten, its very own wallflower. But here’s the thing: space isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a dynamic player in the game of injustice. Who has access to space, how it is arranged, what kind of social arrangements it allows for, all these things can impact justice and so should be analysed specifically. Space, in other words, can cause justice. How did that apply to my study here? While I can’t go into full detail, I’ll give a few highlights.
Many residents actively avoided the centre of Cambridge, because of things related to the University. One reason for this was the way the University guarded its property and put no entry signs everywhere, which made people feel very unwelcome. Others avoided the centre because they felt like entertainment facilities and other infrastructure were increasingly geared towards university students rather than them. That’s quite crazy when you think about it: not wanting to go into the centre, or having a reason to. And all because of the institution your city is famous for!
What residents did care about, is green space. However, Cambridge’s ambitious plans to become the new ‚Silicon Fen‘ – a vision only possible because of the university – triggered deep-seated fears among residents. They worried that this transformation could erode the Cambridge they’ve come to know and love, particularly the green space. The university, while a „devil they know,“ seemed less threatening than the looming spectre of massive expansion.
Housing had also become a point of contention. University-subsidized housing had created a divide, with high rents and housing costs disproportionately affecting non-university affiliates. Other developments made possible by the university’s presence in the city were contributing to socio-economic divides that transcended university membership, however.
Let’s take a moment to reflect on the bigger picture. While I wrote this thesis out of academic curiosity, its findings have the potential to be useful to lots of people. The injustices we’ve uncovered aren’t just abstract concepts—they’re real challenges faced by real people. And remember, this isn’t just about Cambridge; it’s about every corner of the world where universities wield their influence. Armed with insights and the power of spatial justice, residents have the ammunition they need to demand change and reshape their cities for the better.
And so, our brief skirmish into the world of Cambridge, the university and its residents is over. We’ve revealed often hidden inequalities, proving that even the most prestigious institutions cast shadows. As you open a new tab, try not to forget about the concept of spatial justice. Maybe it will turn out to be just as helpful for you.
M.B. Taylor WU Wien 2023
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