Alternative Walking Tour of Oxford

DIGITAL ARCHIVE

The Air is not just an empty space.

Oxford In 8 Breaths is a departure from traditional walking tours of the city that mostly relies upon the use of creative strategies to explore our current AIRSCAPE to connect the walkers with the world around them.

Over July & August 2017 we ran a total of 10 tours and engaged over 100 people in the project in the centre and west Oxford to advocate for the importance and improvement of air quality.

Attendees included people from the Oxford City Council, the Oxfordshire County Council, Friends of the Earth and the Oxford Pedestrians Association.

The tours concluded with a special request from Low Carbon West Oxford to create a special walk for their 10 year anniversary celebrations.

JOIN US

. Explore the city of Oxford: past, present, future . Debate one of the most critical challenges of our time .


TAKE A DEEP BREATH






10TH CENTURY OLD CITY WALL

The air has been a shared resource by all living entities since the beginning of time. From King Edward the Elder to J. R. R. Tolkien and grandparents to children, we all breathe the same air.

INHALE AND EXHALE





CHRIST CHURCH MEADOW

For Buddhists the breath is sacred. The air we breathe is an essential energy, a life giving force. Without breath we could survive no more than a few minutes.

INHALE AND EXHALE





CHRIST CHURCH COLLEGE

In cities like Xingtai, every hour of air you breathe shortens your life by an estimated 20 minutes. Today 4000 people throughout China will die due to air pollution related illnesses.

INHALE AND EXHALE
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ST. ALDATES BUS STOP B5

Worldwide our air quality is affected by the large scale operations related to industry, commerce and transportation. Our role as businesses and consumers needs to be open to conversation.

INHALE AND EXHALE
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ST. ALDATES BUS STOP B6

Take a moment to taste the scent of the air in your street today. Oxford is named as one of the 10 worst cities in the country for air pollution and the WHO estimates it exceeds safe limits by 40%

In the UK, 40,000 early deaths a year are linked to air pollution related illnesses. The WHO estimates it is now a bigger threat than HIV.

INHALE AND EXHALE
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CARFAX TOWER

Who is accountable for the problem? What are the solutions? Will you simply pass it to the next generation?

"You can't solve a problem with the same mindset that created it"
- A. Einstein

INHALE AND EXHALE





HIGH STREET

Research and measure on toxic pollutants. Zero emission and pedestrian zones. Participatory mapping. Gas emission policies & support for renewables. Forest cities. Advocates.

INHALE AND EXHALE









TURL STREET KITCHEN

Interactive discussion. Focus on personal action & empowerment. Thinking together: Shared thoughts, feelings and reflections.

INHALE AND EXHALE

SOCIAL SCULPTURE

. We work through connective practices to build an active and response-able citizenship .

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CONTRIBUTE

. Enhance the confidence in your own discoveries and findings to develop attentive and responsive criteria .

Postcard

We collected many postcards from Oxford residents voincing their support for more to be done to tackle air pollution in the city and nationwide.

...it impacts our health, quality of life and environment and is above safe EU limits...

...we can all do things to make our world better...

...in some places like Oxford it is damaging people's health and shortening their lives. It is also linked with the urgent problem of global climate change...

...basically it's the matter of the world and any action not only affects UK but also all people around the world and leading status of UK in this issue could be effective for all...

...it is bad for the health of people and the environment...

...the level of pollutants are way above safety levels because of all the vehicle exhausts. I'm concerned about our health and that of our children. The climate change affects us all and the survival of this planet depends on our actions now...

...I live in London and want to raise a healthy family there...

...I live in a major city and am concerned about my health and that of my community - more can be done to improve air quality for all...

...my future depends on it. Thank you! All the best...

Contact us

Katherine McGavin

katmcgavin@hotmail.com
MA in Social Sculpture

Mariana Galán

gatm870125@gmail.com
MA in Social Sculpture

Do more

> Protect your interiors with air-friendly plants

> Less than 2 miles journey? Walk or cycle

> Reduce your air miles

> Advocate for Zero Emission Zones

> Join or start an air-quality research group in your area

Resources


World Health Organization

BreatheLife - A global campaign for clean air

Social Sculpture Research Unit

UN Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities