Surveillance in Urban Spaces

Name, title and affiliation
Anders Albrechtslund (alb@hum.aau.dk) 
assistant professor, Ph.D.
Department of Communication and Psychology                
Aalborg University, Denmark

And

Peter Lauritsen
Associate professor, Ph.D.
Media Studies
Århus University, Denmark

Short Biography
Anders Albrechtslund holds a Ph.D. (Aalborg University, Denmark 2008) and has published several peer-reviewed articles on surveillance, new media and ethics, and he is a frequently used commentator of these issues in Danish media. Further, the author has extensive teaching experience within these fields of study. Currently, he is working on a research project called “Surveillance in Urban Spaces” (link: http://www.albrechtslund.net/index.php/?page_id=181).

Peter Lauritsen is associate professor at Information and Media Studies, Aarhus University. He is director for Forum for Surveillance Studies (fos.au.dk) and Center for STS studies. Currently, he is editing a book on surveillance in a Danish context and is working on a project called “CCTV in Danish Media”.

Abstract
In later years, a number of changes have occurred with regards to surveillance in urban spaces, especially in the Danish context. In part, a number of mobile devices that facilitate surveillance have been introduced to the mainstream market and, in part, new legislation concerning Closed-circuit television (CCTV) have been introduced, which make possible increased use of cameras for private businesses. These changes are significant for those of us who live in the city, however, our knowledge about these changes is limited.
The research project “Surveillance in Urban Spaces” is focused on this issue. The purpose of the project is to study the changed urban space with regards to surveillance. The ambition of this project is to broaden that perspective. First, the study implicates all technologies, which is found in urban spaces whether we are driving cars, biking, walking, shopping, dining or having coffee at a café. This includes CCTV, mobile devices, GPS trackers, RFID tags, laptops and other technologies that surround us in an everyday urban life. Second, the focus is not only crime related effects, rather, the aim is to study the meaning and significance for the experience of urban spaces.
The research project “Surveillance in Urban Spaces” is based at Department of Communication and Psychology, Aalborg University, and funded by the Danish Research Council between 2008-2011.