Dear CGFers,
here's some information which you might find of interest:


INURA and the Exodus Collective

Away from the discussions of `radical geography' conferences,
both real and virtual, the week before last I spent a number of
days in Luton, as a guest of both an organisation called INURA
and the Exodus Collective.  I think it might be interesting for
the CGF to hear a little about each of these, as their efforts
and objectives overlap in many ways with the spirit of this
network.

INURA is the International Network for Urban Research and Action. 
It is a largely but not exclusively European network (members
from 20+ countries) aimed at bringing together `radical'
researchers and activists concerned with the broad field of urban
issues.  Hence, although having a strong academic geography
presence, the network's members are much more diverse than this. 
In particular, the input and experiences of activists informs the
annual meeting, which, coming largely from a more narrow academic
background, I found most rewarding.  These annual meetings have
been going for some 6 years, the first having been in Zurich in
1991.  This year's was held in Luton (to visit Exodus),
Letchworth and Milton Keynes, lasting a week.  The theme was
`Making Urban Environments: Self Help and Utopias', and mixed
formal paper sessions with more general discussion and informal
activities.

Okay, that's all I'm going to say about INURA but, from my
experience this year, I would say that it is a useful network for
those who wish (sometimes at least) to go beyond the confines of
academic geography.  For more information, a couple of contact
addresses are:

INURA London
c/o Michael Edwards
Bartlett School, UCL
22 Gordon Street
London WC1H 0QB
Tel: 0171 3877050 x.4874
Fax: 0171 3807453

INURA Toronto
c/o Roger Keil
Faculty of Environmental Studies
University of York
4700 Keele Street
North York
Ontario M3J 1P3
Tel: +1 416 7365252
Fax: +1 416 7365679

The Exodus Collective

I got to hear about INURA as a result of contacting Glenn Jenkins
at the Exodus Collective.  This group, as with the Land is Ours
(noted in an earlier message), are of considerable interest to
all of us concerned with land and planning issues.  The
Collective was started by a group of unemployed native Lutonites
in 1992.  Early on, the Collective was mainly concerned with
organising free rave parties for the people of Luton.  Indeed,
voluntary donations from such parties is still a mainstay of the
Collective's income.

However, the Collective soon extended its activities to squatting
a disused farm near the motorway, which became the Long Meadow
Community Farm, and then a disused hospice on the edge of Luton
(the site of much of the INURA meeting), which was renamed
Housing Action Zone (HAZ) Manor.  The farm, which accommodates
a few people, is being converted into a `community farm' for the
benefit of the people of Luton (for example, school visits),
whilst the Manor is being converted into living space for up to
50 people.  About half that number currently live there, and many
more are working to renovate the remaining parts of the complex. 
The latest scheme which Exodus which to bring to fruition is to
get permission to rent a warehouse space on a nearby industrial
estate and convert the building into `The Ark' or the Exodus
Community and Arts Centre.  This would be a low cost resource for
local people to trade, socialise and come together.

Okay, again I do not want to say too much about Exodus here,
except to note the official recognition, often given very
grudgingly, that the Collective is gradually receiving.  The
tenancy of the farm and hospice has now acquired legal status but
things are moving very slowly with respect to the community
centre (perhaps unsurprisingly given the current structure and
rationale of planning law).  Foe more information on Exodus,
please get in touch with myself or the Collective's spokesperson,
Glenn Jenkins, at:
The Exodus Collective
HAZ Manor
Bramingham Lane
Streatly, nr. Luton
Beds.  LU3 3NL
Tel: 01582 659414

Better still, get down to the Manor and have a look around, Glenn
and the rest of them are very pleased to show people around. 
INURA were certainly impressed by what we saw.  Finally, Exodus's
struggle with the authorities has often been very difficult and
is still very much ongoing.  Thus any letters or other means of
support from `respectable' (!) members of the community such as
academic geographers, would be gratefully appreciated.  Send
these either to Exodus or to Luton Town Council's Planning
Department...

Keith Halfacree


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