A sociological study about everyday relations and life in Park Slope

Kaisa Ketokivi. a postdoctoral research fellow in sociology at the University of Helsinki, Finland, and a fellow at NYU’s Institute for Public Knowledge, is studying the social life and everyday relations of residents in Park Slope as well as in neighborhoods in Helsinki and Madrid.  Each of these neighborhoods has a similar social profile: a desirable, progressive, historic neighborhood with an active local life. Moreover, each neighborhood is undergoing a process of gentrification that inevitably changes the neighborhood. She is interested in understanding how these communities display similar patterns despite cultural and historical differences and how they are different. Which forms and relations do the social and economic change in the neighborhoods take place?

Ms. Ketokivi is returning to Brooklyn to continue her study in Park Slope from January 20 to February 4, 2014. She is looking to interview residents- both old-time residents and newcomers – about their everyday life and social relations and networks as well as persons who can tell her about life and people in the neighborhood.  Participating as an interviewee takes about 1-1/2 hours and involves two meetings: the interview and another meeting to complete a social network questionnaire.

To make better cities, it is important to understand how urban communities are created, maintained and transformed in the face of change. If you are willing to participate, please contact Ms. Ketokivi at kaisa.ketokivi@helsinki.fi or (718) 406-2652 (this number is valid only from January 20 to February 4).