Part of our discussion in class was spent trying to define how Americans view and use public space. I found an article by Drew Whitelegg in which he discusses his view of the topic in regards to its differences from the European cultural use of public space. As a professor he created an assignment that required students to use the public busses in Atlanta, Georgia. Their negative reactions about the experience revealed some of their opinions about the public sphere. It was clear that it was viewed as undesirable and something to avoid. He argues that Americans use public space for specific purposes rather than places to hang out. The “hang out” spaces have moved into the realm of pseudo-public spaces 
such as malls and shopping centers. This critique was also offered in the film from class. The problem here lies in the fact that not everyone is welcome in these spaces that have the illusion of being public. There are rules and regulations that are enforced by security in order to keep consumers in and everyone else out.
Whitelegg believes the ideologies of these public spaces are strongly related to legislative practices. In Europe taxes are much higher, but people are willing to pay them because it serves the common good. They believe it is part of a solution to living in a healthy society. Any problems that Americans confront tend to be viewed as “a private problem with a private solution.” Everyone is fending for themselves and not necessarily in ways that benefit their communities. These selfish ways of thinking can lead to selfish behaviors that shut others out. Private space has become a security blanket where people can comfortably be themselves. Public spaces might have a better chance of surviving in America if they were utilized more actively.
As my time in Athens is coming to an end, I am very sad to say goodbye to the community that thrives here. Although Athens is not extremely diverse and can be exclusive to some extent, I believe the community shows much consideration for the commonwealth. It is very different from my hometown and most places in America. There are many programs and events that benefit the local population. The farmers market is an example of a thriving pseudo-public place in Athens. It is good for sustaining the local agriculture and the people. Although the farmers market is successful in many ways, it also has rules, regulations, and fees that must be followed and therefore becomes exclusionary to some. This discussion has made me realize how difficult it can be have a space that is both completely open to the public and actively utilized. 
Whitelegg, Drew. Public vs Private Space: Americans and Europeans Differ. The Fellows' Forum
I think the use of public space is diminishing. Many of these places that people consider a public space are actually pseudo-public spaces because of the regulations or they pertain to only certain demographics. The pseudo-public spaces and private spaces are the new "hang out" spaces. Think about when you were in high school people hung out at each others houses, at sports games, or the mall and that was about it.
ReplyDeleteI think the true public space is now the open space because anyone can go there and there is very minimal regulation. Parks and public squares are close to being a diverse spot to gather with minimal regulation, however, they are still monitored to social norms. For example, the homeless are often chased out of parks and gatherings of people perceived as thugs or drug dealers are often harassed by the cops. In conclusion, I think the definition and use of public space is evolving and changing over time.
I agree that public space is diminishing. City governments seem to be placing more regulations on these places which don't really make them public anymore. The reason for this is most likely to help keep them nice. By this I mean that if the people who use them have to pay, chances are that the space would be nicer than if there was no charge.
ReplyDeleteTo further comment on what I wrote in the above paragraph, I wanted to relate some of what I saw in the movie on Thursday to experience I have seen where I work. I have worked at a park the past five years. It is a public park that is funded by the village it is in. There are shelters that are usually rented every weekend. There is always one weekend in which a lot of the black families rent all of these. Most people who live in the town know when this weekend is and generally leave town for a few days. The reason for this is, in the past during this weekend, fights have broken out and some people have even been shot at. The park, being a public space, becomes not so public because of the situation. Yes, people can still use it if they like, but they don't because they feel at risk.
I thought it was interesting that you brought up pseudo-public space, such as malls. When I went on a class trip to Minneapolis one of our stops was to the Mall of America. We did not know this at the time but if you are under the age of 17, not accompanied by an adult, and you're in the mall after a certain (I believe it was 7pm) security will take to their offices or ask you to leave. Why? Because in order to slow down the amount of fights and crimes happening by young adults and teenagers. Technically they are closing off a pseudo-public space to a certain age group.
ReplyDeleteIt is kind of shocking that public place is drastically disappearing. Certain actions and certain people are restricted into some places in society due to a variety of reasons. Which technically does not make it public it all, it make it restricted. We make policies to assure public safety but instead we discriminate certain groups of people to assure this safety.
The more we have talked in this class the more I have approached the idea that in a governmental society there is no such thing as public space. Since technically the government owns all public space. The role of the government, at least in an democracy, is to let the public than vote on what happens to this public space. What ends up happening is only certain voices get heard at the end of the day. How many homeless do you know that go out and vote? So the space then gets utilized for what a certain group wants. Usually this group is more wealthy and wants a certain aspect of security when using this space.
ReplyDeleteI have worked at public pools since I was 15. I never really understood why they are public if you have to pay an admission to use them. On top of the taxes they also pay. There is also strict rules one must follow to use this public space that is regulated and enforced by the lifeguards. Doesn't sound like much a public space to me.