scholarly journals Contextual interpretation of COVID-19 pandemic among public space users in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria: An ethnographic review

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0259631
Author(s):  
Mofeyisara Oluwatoyin Omobowale ◽  
Eniola Adetola Bamgboye ◽  
Akinfemi Akinyode ◽  
Olugbenga Samuel Falase ◽  
Taiwo Olabode Ladipo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Sexual Life ◽  
The Public ◽  
Political Propaganda ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
The Government ◽  
Wrath Of God ◽  
Depth Interviews

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all dimensions of lives and has become a social problem as it continues to spread widely through the continuous interactions of people in public spaces where they earn a living. Curbing the spread of COVID-19 requires restrictions in these public spaces, however, the compliance to these measures depends largely on the understanding and interpretations of COVID 19 by users of these public spaces. This study examined the contextual interpretations of public space users about COVID-19 prevention in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State. The study was a rapid ethnographic survey in selected public spaces (markets and commercial motor parks) in Ibadan metropolis. Data were collected through participant observation, key informant interviews (3 females; 3 males) and in-depth interviews (30) with, traders, head porters, clients/buyers and commercial vehicle drivers in these public spaces. Interviews conducted were transcribed, sorted into themes using Atlas-ti 7.5.7 and subjected to interpretive-content analysis. Findings revealed that some respondents felt COVID-19 was brought into Nigeria by rich frequent global voyagers, others felt it was through “uncultured” sexual life or wrath of God. Some also doubted the existence of the disease and many of the respondents perceived COVID-19 as a disease reported by the government or a political propaganda to siphon funds. The users of the public spaces in Ibadan Metropolis have variegated perception about the existence and severity of this rapidly spreading virus and this has grave implications for COVID-19 control in the State. Thus, regular interaction with public space users are essential for control efforts.

scholarly journals Beyond the Sit-In: Public Space Production and Appropriation in Sudan’s December Revolution, 2018

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 5194
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Z. Bahreldin
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Urban Design ◽  
Political Ideology ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
The Public ◽  
Space Transformation ◽  
Space Production ◽  
Space Activities

This article reflects on Khartoum’s sit-in space in front of the Army headquarter in Khartoum during Sudan’s Nile Spring. The article explores the public discourses, activities, and space transformation during the sit-in, which lasted fifty-eight days. Through studying the sit-in, we aim to discuss how the Nile Spring has, or has not, transformed the conception of what a public space is by examining the functions and activities of the sit-in space as a territory of political exercise. The methodology underlying this research includes direct and participant observation, a follow-up of the sit-in space activities on various media sources, a literature review, and interviews. The conclusions drawn by this article show how the sit-in space has challenged the current relationship between public space and the political ideology by providing a new example of what a public space is. The sit-in space succeeded in revolutionizing the understanding of how public spaces should be imagined, designed, appropriated, and managed. This inquiry has disclosed the necessity to rethink current planning and urban design processes that restrict democratic activities in public spaces.

scholarly journals Political Representation In Urban Public Space In Jakarta Child-Friendly Public Space (Ruang Publik Terpadu Ramah Anak – RPTRA)

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-49
Author(s):  
Eka Permanasari ◽  
Sahid Mochtar ◽  
Rahma Purisari
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Political Representation ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
The Political ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Urban Architecture ◽  
The Public ◽  
Space Design ◽  
The Government ◽  
Participative Design

The design of public space often embodies the power and political representation of a specific regime. As urban architecture symbolizes and establishes the identity of a regime, authorities often use a top-down approach to implement urban architectural programs. As a result, the spaces constructed often display power and identity, but lack consideration of public use. Public spaces are often exclusionary for public use. They merely stand for the representation of the authority. Accordingly, many public spaces built by the government are abandoned soon after their launch. Big ceremonies and public space displays only last a few days before these spaces are then closed to the public or appropriated for different uses. Most top-down approaches focus on the physical development, overlooking the users’ inclusion in decision making. This research analyses the political representation of public space design in RPTRA Bahari located in the South Jakarta. It analyses the political reason behind the development of RPTRA in Jakarta and the way participative design approach is employed during the design process to get public engagement in public space. Therefore, it investigates how the political representation is perceived in everyday life by analysing how the public space has been used three years since its launch. Through observation and interviews, this paper interrogates the political representation in urban forms and how public spaces become an arena where the government’s intentions and everyday uses meet. It concludes that a participative, bottom-up approach leads to more public use and engagement.

scholarly journals The Dynamics of Urban Public Space Perception in the New Normal Era

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yordan Kristanto Dewangga ◽  
Sita Yuliastuti Amijaya ◽  
Hoseo Viadolorosa
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Space Perception ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
New Normal ◽  
Urban Public Space ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Public ◽  
Questionnaire Online ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

The coronavirus pandemic or Covid-19 has happened in several countries, including Indonesia. This condition has an impact not only on public health but also on all sectors. Yogyakarta, a province in Indonesia, receives the impact of this pandemic, especially the Malioboro as a famous public area in the city. The Malioboro area, as an urban public space, becomes quieter due to the coronavirus pandemic. The new normal policy, which the government implemented through the adaptation of new habits, gradually bringing back the activities in the Malioboro area. Health protocols to maintain social distancing keep on encouraged with direct and written persuasive methods. The purpose of this study is to explore people's perceptions of urban public spaces in the new normal era in Malioboro. The method used was conducting a direct survey in Malioboro and giving a closed questionnaire online to the public. The discussion was performed by examining the results of a closed questionnaire with the current situation in Malioboro. The conclusions obtained that the community has received information to maintain social distancing. However, many people ignore the health protocols so that no difference with the situation before the pandemic. This condition does not change the spatial patterns and layouts related to space at the public scale and the distance of social interactions. Keywords: Covid-19; public spaces; social distancing; social interaction

scholarly journals “The right to the post-Soviet city”: Analysing communication gaps in the public space

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 189-209
Author(s):  
Elena V. Lebedeva
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Urban Sociology ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Urban Public Space ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Right

The paper investigates the communication gaps in the public spaces of post-Soviet cities (from the perspective of business-government-society interaction) through the spatial paradigm lens of urban sociology coupled with the perspective of communications studies. The author analyzes the particularities of the spatial organization of post-Soviet cities; describes the main features of their urban public space; and examines their impact on the patterns of social interactions. The paper presents the results of empirical research into the government-business relationship, using the case of Minsk, the capital city of Belarus. The author specifically focuses on the instances of communicative dysfunction (i.e. communication gaps) as the manifestation of social distance, exploring its nature from the perspective of the concept of “a Stranger”. The findings point at a need to supplement the local communities with local public communication channels and content.

scholarly journals Research on Public Space Renewal Strategy of Small and Medium-sized Towns Based on Spatial Syntax--Taking Liulin Liaoyuan Square as an Example

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 03029
Author(s):  
Zhou Yingzheng ◽  
Xu Qiang
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Small Towns ◽  
Living Standards ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Past ◽  
Spatial Grammar ◽  
Spatial Quality ◽  
Grammar Analysis

With the accelerating urbanization, the living standards of people in small towns are constantly improving. There are more or less problems in the public spaces that were used in the past, whether planned or spontaneously formed. Today, under government-led conditions, we have the ability to improve the spatial quality and life satisfaction of these public spaces. This paper takes Liulin Liaoyuan Square as an example, mainly for the transformation and renewal of such small and medium-sized public spaces. It compares the current situation with the simulation implementation plan, uses the spatial syntax including direct (non-participant) observation and spatial grammar analysis techniques to update the strategy and provide practical advice on practical problems.

scholarly journals Técnicas móviles en etnografía urbana: actividades económicas itinerantes en el espacio público de Barcelona / Using Mobile Techniques in Urban Ethnography. Itinerant Economic Activities in the Public Space in Barcelona

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luz Dary Ríos Castañeda ◽  
Jesús Rojas Arredondo
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Spatial Practices ◽  
Urban Ethnography ◽  
The Public ◽  
Psychosocial Processes

ABSTRACTIn public spaces of cities there are urban phenomena and psychosocial processes involving a multiplicity of practices in everyday life. In this paper we show an urban ethnography that uses moving techniques, such as: walking with, mobile interview, and mobile participant observation in a field work for to access to itinerant economic activities. We emphasize the appropriateness of using these techniques in studies of public space with moving practices because we can explore in situ: environmental perception, spatial practices, social architecture and sociability.RESUMENEn los espacios públicos de las ciudades hay fenómenos urbanos y procesos psicosociales que implican una multiplicidad de prácticas de la vida cotidiana. En este trabajo mostramos una etnografía urbana, que utiliza las técnicas móviles de: “caminar con”, la entrevista móvil y la observación participante móvil en un trabajo de campo para el acceso a las actividades económicas itinerantes. Hacemos hincapié en la conveniencia de utilizar estas técnicas en los estudios sobre el espacio público con las prácticas en movimiento, ya que podemos explorar in situ: la percepción del medio ambiente, las prácticas espaciales, la arquitectura social y la sociabilidad.

‘Party in the street’: The partisan politics of space

2021 ◽  
pp. 239965442110338
Author(s):  
David Jenkins ◽  
Lipin Ram
Keyword(s):  
Public Sphere ◽  
Public Space ◽  
State Power ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
The State ◽  
Political Community ◽  
Democratic Legitimacy ◽  
Partisan Politics ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Public Sphere

Public space is often understood as an important ‘node’ of the public sphere. Typically, theorists of public space argue that it is through the trust, civility and openness to others which citizens cultivate within a democracy’s public spaces, that they learn how to relate to one another as fellow members of a shared polity. However, such theorizing fails to articulate how these democratic comportments learned within public spaces relate to the public sphere’s purported role in holding state power to account. In this paper, we examine the ways in which what we call ‘partisan interventions’ into public space can correct for this gap. Using the example of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM), we argue that the ways in which CPIM partisans actively cultivate sites of historical regional importance – such as in the village of Kayyur – should be understood as an aspect of the party’s more general concern to present itself to citizens as an agent both capable and worthy of wielding state power. Drawing on histories of supreme partisan contribution and sacrifice, the party influences the ideational background – in competition with other parties – against which it stakes its claims to democratic legitimacy. In contrast to those theorizations of public space that celebrate its separateness from the institutions of formal democratic politics and the state more broadly, the CPIM’s partisan interventions demonstrate how parties’ locations at the intersections of the state and civil society can connect the public sphere to its task of holding state power to account, thereby bringing the explicitly political questions of democratic legitimacy into the everyday spaces of a political community.

scholarly journals Activating Data through Eco-Didactic Design in the Public Realm: Enabling Sustainable Development in Cities

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4577
Author(s):  
Carmela Cucuzzella ◽  
Morteza Hazbei ◽  
Sherif Goubran
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Public Realm ◽  
Design Data ◽  
Art And Design ◽  
The Public ◽  
Community Based Design ◽  
The City

This paper explores how design in the public realm can integrate city data to help disseminate the information embedded within it and provide urban opportunities for knowledge exchange. The hypothesis is that such art and design practices in public spaces, as places of knowledge exchange, may enable more sustainable communities and cities through the visualization of data. To achieve this, we developed a methodology to compare various design approaches for integrating three main elements in public-space design projects: city data, specific issues of sustainability, and varying methods for activating the data. To test this methodology, we applied it to a pedogeological project where students were required to render city data visible. We analyze the proposals presented by the young designers to understand their approaches to design, data, and education. We study how they “educate” and “dialogue” with the community about sustainable issues. Specifically, the research attempts to answer the following questions: (1) How can we use data in the design of public spaces as a means for sustainability knowledge exchange in the city? (2) How can community-based design contribute to innovative data collection and dissemination for advancing sustainability in the city? (3) What are the overlaps between the projects’ intended impacts and the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? Our findings suggest that there is a need for such creative practices, as they make information available to the community, using unconventional methods. Furthermore, more research is needed to better understand the short- and long-term outcomes of these works in the public realm.

Walking in the Periphery: Activist Art and Urban Resistance to Neoliberalism in Istanbul

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 310-333
Author(s):  
Ipek Türeli ◽  
Meltem Al
Keyword(s):  
Public Culture ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Ripple Effects ◽  
The Public ◽  
Activist Art ◽  
The Government ◽  
Ruling Party

In 2013, the Gezi Park protests created a wave of optimism in Istanbul – until it was brutally suppressed by the government. Although the ephemeral movement ended without having achieved its immediate goals, it continues to have ripple effects on the public culture of Istanbul. The ruling party, for example, has emulated the forms and formats of performance that emerged during the protests in order to mobilize its own support base. In a post-Gezi Istanbul, however, the occupation of public spaces in protest of the government has become nearly impossible, rendering alternative artistic and activist practices all the more important.

Reconceptualizing the Public Spaces of New Urban Areas in Hanoi: The End or the New of Public-Making?

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Minh-Tung Tran ◽  
◽  
Tien-Hau Phan ◽  
Ngoc-Huyen Chu ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
The Public ◽  
Doi Moi ◽  
The World ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The City ◽  
Neighborhood Level

Public spaces are designed and managed in many different ways. In Hanoi, after the Doi moi policy in 1986, the transfer of the public spaces creation at the neighborhood-level to the private sector has prospered na-ture of public and added a large amount of public space for the city, directly impacting on citizen's daily life, creating a new trend, new concept of public spaces. This article looks forward to understanding the public spaces-making and operating in KDTMs (Khu Do Thi Moi - new urban areas) in Hanoi to answer the question of whether ‘socialization’/privatization of these public spaces will put an end to the urban public or the new means of public-making trend. Based on the comparison and literature review of studies in the world on public spaces privatization with domestic studies to see the differences in the Vietnamese context leading to differences in definitions and roles and the concept of public spaces in KDTMs of Hanoi. Through adducing and analyzing practical cases, the article also mentions the trends, the issues, the ways and the technologies of public-making and public-spaces-making in KDTMs of Hanoi. Win/loss and the relationship of the three most important influential actors in this process (municipality, KDTM owners, inhabitants/citizens) is also considered to reconceptualize the public spaces of KDTMs in Hanoi.

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