Patrick Chan
In āOccupying Public Spaceā by Franck and Huang, they describe public space as a place where people can gather. For example, people can gather for a protest or celebration in the designated area. But they have to follow the set the rules that is enforced by law enforcement. The author describes Zuccotti Park as a public space where people can come freely and has a significant history that was used for 9/11 anniversary ceremonies. Since this park is privately owned by the Brookfield Properties, they made the park public so it is accessible for people all day.
In Golanās āThe Office of Peopleā, he talks about how someone with power or high social status can create a public space. The company Occupy recreate a public space where people can come together freely. The space can be used to express yourself or create a group of people with a cause.
In Jeanna van Heeswijk āThe Artist Will Have to Decide Whom to Serveā, she describes public space as a space were people can gather to communicate. She doesnāt say that the space has to be in one specific area but it can be anywhere as long as people can gather and communicate with each other. The purpose of creating the space is to āestablish a place where people can teach each other what it takes to become active citizens.ā
What do all of the ideas presented in this article tell us about how spaces are negotiated and shaped by systems of power, performative processes of subversion , and communities? Go beyond summary to think about what and how public spaces gain new cultural meanings.-NA