“Everybody’s Donghu”: Artistic Resistance and the Reclaiming of Public Space in China

2020 ◽  
pp. 120633122090298
Author(s):  
Jian Xiao ◽  
Shuwen Qu
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Urban Transformation ◽  
Commercial Development ◽  
Power And Control ◽  
East Lake ◽  
Resistance To Power ◽  
And Control ◽  
Artistic Resistance

This paper presents a study of an artistic resistance project in China, “Everybody’s Donghu (East Lake),” held in 2010, 2012, and 2014 with the aim of intervening in the commercial development of an urban scenic space. It aims to demonstrate the practices of resistance in public spaces, particularly in the context of an authoritarian regime such as China, as opposed to democratic societies. First, the recent development of protest and forms of resistance in China will be discussed. It will then focus on the arising conflicts between the conceptualization of an urban space by the urban planners and the imagination of it by the participants. This is followed by a discussion of the tactics deployed in this event, focusing on how the participants appropriate urban space for their own use through performance. Finally, it explores how technology is used in the practices of resistance, concerning the representation of the area through utilization of online space. Overall, this paper argues that appropriating and representing urban space can open up new possibilities of resistance to power and control in the process of urban transformation.

scholarly journals Exploring Successful Small Urban Spaces’ Criteria with Emphasis on Cultural Context

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 475-482
Author(s):  
Parvin Partovi ◽  
Kebria Sedaghat Rostami ◽  
Amir Shakibamanesh
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Urban Spaces ◽  
Cultural Issues ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
Short Time ◽  
The City

In the crowded cities of the present age, public spaces can provide a quiet area away from the hustle and bustle of the city that citizens can interact with by incorporating utility features and meeting human needs and Relax there. Small urban spaces are among the most important and effective urban spaces to achieve this goal. Because these spaces due to their small size and lower costs (compared to larger spaces) for construction can be created in large numbers and distributed throughout the city. In this way, citizens will be able to reach a public urban space on foot in a short time. If these spaces are well designed, they can encourage people to stay in and interact with each other. It is not difficult to identify and experience high-quality successful places, but identifying the reasons for their success is difficult and even more difficult, understanding if similar spaces in other places can be considered successful. This question is important because public space with deep social content is considered a cultural product. Public space is the product of the historical and socio-cultural forces of society. Therefore, one of the most important issues that should be considered in the study of public spaces and the reasons for their success is the cultural context. In Iranian cities that have been influenced by the values and principles of Islam,recognizing Islamic principles and their role in shaping public spaces can lead us to desirable results. The purpose of this article is to develop a conceptual model of successful small urban spaces with an emphasis on cultural issues, especially in Iranian-Islamic cities. In this regard, the effective criteria for the success of urban spaces in general and small urban spaces in particular in the two categories of Western countries and Iranian Islamic cities were examined and then, taking into account the criteria derived from cultural theorists, the conceptual model of research with 38 subcriteria is provided.

scholarly journals Sonic memory interventions against politics of urban silencing

Muzikologija ◽  
2017 ◽  
pp. 89-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Hofman ◽  
Srdjan Atanasovski
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
The Political ◽  
Power And Control ◽  
Political Implications ◽  
Local Contexts ◽  
And Control

We discuss the political implications of the noise/silence dialectic in order to reflect on the urban and social materialities of sonic memory activism in the post- Yugoslav space. We see the privatization of public space as one of the defining issues of current socio-political tensions and we strive to offer a more nuanced model for thinking about grassroots practices of musicking and listening in the context of resistance and power and control redistribution. Discussing sonic interventions in Ljubljana and Belgrade enables us both to uncover how important global processes are reflected in these local contexts and to locate diversity of present practices of resistance.

Analysis on Building Readable Image of Urban Public Spaces

2013 ◽  
Vol 409-410 ◽  
pp. 883-886
Author(s):  
Bo Xuan Zhao ◽  
Cong Ling Meng
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Urban Life ◽  
Space Images ◽  
Urban Public Space ◽  
Good Image ◽  
The Public ◽  
The City

City, is consisting of a series continuous or intermittent public space images, and every image for each of our people living in the city is varied: may be as awesome as forbidden city Meridian Gate, like Piazza San Marco as a cordial and pleasant space and might also be like Manhattan district of New York, which makes people excited and enthusiastic. To see why, people have different feelings because the public urban space ultimately belongs to democratic public space, people live and have emotions in it. In such domain, people can not only be liberated, free to enjoy the pleasures of urban public space, but also enjoy urban life which is brought by the city's charm through highlighting the vitality of the city with humanism atmosphere. To a conclusion, no matter how ordinary the city is, a good image of urban space can also bring people pleasure.

POST-SOVIET TRANSFORMATIONS OF PUBLIC SPACES IN LITHUANIA: CASES OF ŽIRMŪNAI AND LAZDYNAI RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS / TARYBINIO LAIKOTARPIO VIEŠŲJŲ ERDVIŲ TRANSFORMACIJOS LIETUVOJE. VILNIAUS ŽIRMŪNŲ IR LAZDYNŲ ATVEJIS

2012 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomas Grunskis ◽  
Matas Šiupšinskas
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Spatial Development ◽  
Soviet Period

The article deals with the question of public space transformations during the last two decades in Lithuania. It is the part of broader research of the topic. Authors focus on the issue of main public spaces in Žirmūnai and Lazdynai residential districts in Vilnius, which are under the process of structural and spatial development. The article also analizes the problem of post-Soviet urban space quality and its transformations, as well as raises the question of preservation practices of urban (modernistic) heritage from the Soviet period. Authors analize and expose systems of public spaces and their hierarchy in these districts, which have been created according to modernistic principles and now are considered as highly valuable. Structural, compositional, functional and spacial developments of these spaces are analized in detail evaluating negative impact of such developments on the quality of modernistic urban space. Santrauka Straipsnyje aptariama tarybinio laikotarpio viešųjų erdvių kaita per pastarąjį dvidešimtmetį. Jame telkiamas dėmesys į Vilniaus Žirmūnų ir Lazdynų gyvenamųjų rajonų pagrindines viešąsias erdves bei jose esančius visuomeninius kompleksus. Tekste analizuojamos ir apibūdinamos tarybinio laikotarpio urbanistinės erdvės kokybinės kaitos ir urbanistinio paveldo teisinės apsaugos klausimas. Taip pat įvardijamos ir analizuojamos šių gyvenamųjų rajonų viešųjų erdvių sistemos bei jų elementų hierarchijos. Tekste detaliai analizuojama šių viešųjų erdvių kaita urbanistinės struktūros, tūrinės erdvinės kompozicijos ir funkciniu požiūriais. Keliama urbanistinės erdvės, kaip paveldo ir apsaugos objekto, problema.

scholarly journals FROM A ‘BLIND WALKER’ TO AN ‘URBAN CURATOR’: INITIATING ‘EMOTIONALLY MOVING SITUATIONS’ IN PUBLIC SPACES / NUO KASDIENIO MIESTELĖNŲ „AKLUMO” IKI MIESTO AKTYVIZMO: INICIJUOJANT „EMOCIONALIAI PAVEIKIAS SITUACIJAS” VIEŠOSIOSE ERDVĖSE

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jekaterina Lavrinec
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Social Order ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Spatial Structures ◽  
Urban Settings ◽  
Urban Art ◽  
Creative Solutions ◽  
Alternative Scenarios

Reconstructing the mutation of a ‘blind walker’ into the figure of reflexive urban activist, who proposes creative solutions to the problems of de-activated public spaces, urban art interventions are comprehended as a tool for re-inventing and revitalising urban settings while initiating intensive interaction and cooperation between citizens. The idea to arrange ‘emotionally moving situations’ so as to activate reflexive attitude of the citizens toward everyday urban settings was proposed by situationists. By disturbing usual everyday rhythms and trajectories, urban art interventions, flash mobs and urban games establish a reflexive distance from the usual, routine ‘choreography’ of the place and propose alternative scenarios of behaviour in public space. Therefore urban art interventions can be considered as a tool for creative reconceptualization of spatial structures and social order, embedded in urban space. Santrauka Remiantis M. de Certeau pasiūlyta miestelėno „aklumo” metafora, kuri nurodo į nerefleksyvų santykį su kasdiene aplinka, straipsnyje rekonstruojama šios miestelėno figūros transformacija į miesto aktyvistą („miesto kuratorių”), kuris reaguoja į miesto problemas ir ieško kūrybinių šių problemų sprendimų. Aktyvaus santykio su miesto aplinka modelis buvo plėtojamas dar situacionistų (I. Chtcheglovas, G. Debord‘as, A. Kotányi ir kt.), kurie ieškojo kasdienio miesto patyrimo suspendavimo technikų (pavyzdžiui, dreifavimas) ir siūlė reorganizuoti miesto erdves, kad jos imtų produkuoti „emocionaliai paveikias situacijas”. šios paieškos paskatino situacionistus plėtoti „unitarinio urbanizmo” koncepciją. Šiuolaikiniams miestams susiduriant su deaktyvuotų viešųjų erdvių problema, „emocionaliai paveikių situacijų” kūrimo idėja atgimsta nauju pavidalu. Meninės intervencijos į viešąsias erdves, flash-mobai ir miesto žaidimai ardo įprastus elgesio scenarijus, steigia refleksyvųatstumą su rutininiu miesto patyrimu, o taip pat skatina naujųmiesto ritualų atsiradimą bei formuoja emocinį miesto reljefą. Intervencijos į viešąsias erdves gali būti analizuojamos ir kaip refleksijos forma, ir kaip aktualių miesto problemų(viešųjų erdviųdeaktyvavimo) sprendimo būdas.

Freedom and control: a state of balance in public space

Facilities ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (11/12) ◽  
pp. 606-623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianjiao Zhao ◽  
Kin Wai Michael Siu
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Open Space ◽  
Policy Design ◽  
Urban Life ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
And Control

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to determine how to achieve a balance between freedom and control in public space. It analyses the relationship between freedom and control to identify phenomena and offer users and policymakers instructions for achieving that balance. Public space, including privately owned public space, is important to urban living. People have both the right to use public space and the responsibility to protect it. Both freedom and control should exist in public space in an appropriate combination. It is impossible and inappropriate for us to ask for absolute freedom or endure unreasonable control. Design/methodology/approach – A case study of Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway (MTR) reveals typical freedom/control relationships. Quantitative descriptions are given based on field observations. Findings – Freedom and control are primary factors affecting the quality of urban life and management of city space. They depend on and conflict with each other. The balance between freedom and control is a balance between diverse spaces. The “freedom space” belonging to both citizens and authorities determines whether freedom and control are balanced. Ethics and strategies constitute control. Only when each authority and user obtains a proper freedom space can freedom and control achieve balance in public space. Research limitations/implications – Freedom and control differ across cities because they are both affected by culture, history and tradition. As each city has its own characteristics, the freedom and control in each open space are distinctive. Balancing freedom and control requires an understanding of a city’s background and the era. While this paper does not attempt to achieve this understanding, further studies could devote more attention to dimensions of time and location. Practical implications – The findings provide recommendations for users, policymakers and construction and management companies that will allow the management of harmonious and high-quality open spaces. Social implications – Freedom and control are two main factors affecting quality of life. The balance between freedom and control may bring a harmony and stable society environment. It would benefit both the authority and the people a lot. Originality/value – This study provides a systematic analysis of freedom and control in public space and makes a valuable contribution to quality urban space policy, design and management.

scholarly journals Young Jazz Musicians and Negotiation of Public Space in Yogyakarta Indonesia

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-236
Author(s):  
Oki Rahadianto Sutopo
Keyword(s):  
Everyday Life ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Cultural Production ◽  
Youth Culture ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Urban Context ◽  
Jazz Music ◽  
Musical Practices ◽  
Local Narratives

Using Bourdieusian approach, this article explores the reflexive strategies of young jazz musicians in order to develop their musical practices in a contemporary urban context of Yogyakarta, a city of culture and activism in Indonesia. In detail, the reflexive strategy (Sweetman 2003; Threadgold & Nilan 2009) will be explained as the manifestation of struggle in the field of cultural production (Bourdieu 1993). As an implication, young jazz musicians have to negotiate their musical practices with the reproduction of doxa and the representation of dominant agents in the jazz music field including the availability of public spaces in contemporary Yogyakarta. The resistance towards doxa will be explained based on the local narratives of the Yogyakarta jazz community as a mixture of the local and the trans-local scene (Bennett & Peterson 2004). Furthermore, the reflexive strategy will be analysed through the lens of the youth culture perspective specifically as a manifestation of a mixture between post-subculture (Bennett 1999) and subculture (Blackman 2005). In their everyday musical practices, young jazz musicians produce their musical practices fluidly and flexibly as a lifestyle distinction as well as a form of everyday life resistance. In summary, this article shows the complexity of the musical processes of young jazz musicians in contemporary urban space of Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

scholarly journals Photographing Public Spaces in Hong Kong

2019 ◽  
pp. 199-212
Author(s):  
Kevin Mak
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Street Life ◽  
Diverse Cultures

Photographing urban space has always been my interest, even before I entered architectural school and began my career as an architect. When I was still at school, I already enjoyed observing, through my camera, on how the complex yet limited public spaces in Hong Kong accommodated the diverse and spontaneous street life. Studying & practising in architecture further shaped my interest in exploring Hong Kong’s urban topics beyond the visuals. My approach in urban photography promotes spatial aesthetics that embrace diverse cultures in public space, and controversially suggests how we introspect our way & attitude living in contemporary cities.

scholarly journals Explicit and implied significance of contemporary public spaces. Part 1. Spaces of attractions

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 063-082
Author(s):  
Dariusz Dziubiński
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Current Model ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Urban Spaces ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Direct Experience ◽  
Beach Bar

This text presents considerations encouraged by thoughts and conclusions gained from research on several beach bars and their comparison with other urban public spaces, run in Wrocław from 2018 to 2019. The similarities and differences between the two types of spaces provoke a question about the meaning of what we call „public spaces” today. The question is also asked, somewhat perversely, about the validity of following best practices based on proxemic principles and focused on attracting and retaining people in urban spaces. The paper examines not so much the rules but the purpose, in other words the type of space we receive/can achieve as a result of applying these principles, since people in the urban space (private or public) are only guests, while their choice is reduced to the top-down offer. The above doubt also results from the conclusion regarding the most important feature determining attractiveness of a beach bar space, which in my opinion, is the freedom of behaviour for users. In it we can see deficiencies of the prevailing narrative about our participation in space and, above all, the possibility of choice, or what should be called the limitations of choice – the lack of possession/self-agency. Such a situation, largely conditioned by politics (and economics), reduces public space to the role of a  “space of attractions” (curiosities), whose action and participation is based on experiencing – on a direct experience. The clash of these two forces – standardization and individualization, erodes the current model of common spaces based on the historical (nineteenth century) one, whose images are transferred only in the form of empty clichés. Thus, the limitation of choices, the need to fall into line and appearances of a community lead to an escape upwards – enclaves for the chosen ones (omnitopia) and downwards – niches for the rebellious ones (heterotopia), while beach bars represent both ways of escape. Against this background, the purposefulness of expert/ top-down creation of public spaces, carried out in isolation from other essential values and laws, appears problematic.

scholarly journals Sustainable urban structures to challenge climate change

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emil CREANGA ◽  
Maria DUDA
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Urban Form ◽  
Private Investment ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Urban Structure ◽  
Urban Structures ◽  
Modern Development ◽  
The City

Public spaces within the city in all their form of different types - streets, boulevards, squares, plazas, market places, green areas - are the backbone of cities. Over the centuries buildings defined the shape and quality of public spaces, valorising them in various ways. The post-modern development of urban form generated a great number of “urban spaces”, where there is no longer correspondence between architectural forms and social and political messages: shopping malls and theme parks, inner public spaces, strip developments etc. Urban sprawl accompanied by loss of agricultural/rural land and its impact on the environment are serious concerns for most cities over Europe. To strike the right balance between inner city regeneration, under-use of urban land in the old abandoned sites and the ecological benefits that accompany the new private business initiatives in suburban areas, is one of the major challenges confronting cities in Europe. The paper will analyze the complex relations between architecture and public space, in an attempt to understand how traditional urban structures, public and green spaces, squares and streets, could provide orientation for quality-oriented regeneration. Case in point is Bucharest - capital city of Romania - where aggressive intervention in the urban structure during the 1980s disrupted the fabric of the city. The investigation is oriented towards fundamental questions such as: how to secure and preserve sites that serve as initial points in upgrading processes, how to balance private investment criteria and the quality interests of the urban communities.The major aim is to provide a support for decision making in restoring the fundamental role of public urban space in shaping urban form and supporting community life.

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