Surveillance in Urban Nightscapes

Description of research

The multidisciplinary project deals with The examination of the whole surveillance network – visitors, CCTV technologies, surveillors, public authorities and entrepreneurs – and its effects on the production of public spaces in urban nightlife districts. My specific project deals with technological developments in surveillance networks. Where focus is often on making things smart behind the lens (e.g. facial recognition, 'smart' algorithms) , my focus is on how nightscape visitors experience surveillance technologies in public space. Besides 'organisational' surveillance networks that are in place, another actor can be found that is of increasing importance; the mobile (phone) camera. The recording and sharing capabilities of these audiovisual devices expand the areas of surveillance from fixed and static to mobile and fluid. This will have effects on both current organisational surveillance (e.g. expanding of resources and data) and new media use (e.g. new privacy issues, locative media).

Advisor(s)

Prof. Dr. N.E.J. Oudshoorn

Dr. T. Schwanen

Duration

4 yrs

Funding institution

NWO MVI

Strategic Research Orientation

Integrated Security and Privacy in a Networked World

Links to relevant web pages:

http://www.stadsnachtwacht.nl

http://www.nwo.nl/nwohome.nsf/pages/NWOA_73HBPY

Pictures