Propositions for more just urban public spaces. Issue 1 (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Low, Setha; Iveson, Kurt
• Is Part Of: City. Volume 20:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 10
• Page End: 31
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: public space -- spatial justice -- New York -- graffiti; City planning -- Periodicals; Urban renewal -- Periodicals; Cities and towns -- Periodicals; 307.7605
• DOI: 10.1080/13604813.2015.1128679
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-4813

Abstract

Abstract : Across a diverse range of urban geographical contexts, the provision and governance of public spaces frequently generates conflicts of varying intensity involving urban inhabitants and urban authorities. A clear moral and philosophically based argument and evaluative framework is necessary for both critiquing and informing the positions that are taken in public space disputes. In this paper, we develop a model of socially just public space that could inform analysis of, and interventions in, these conflicts. In dialogue with the literatures on urban public space and on social and spatial justice, we offer five propositions about what makes for more just public space. The five propositions concern distributive justice, recognition, interactional justice and encounter, care and repair, and procedural justice. The application of these five propositions is exemplified through brief reflections on the politics of the street in New York City, and 'broken windows' style policing of graffiti.