Publication details
Semiveřejné prostory
| Title in English | Semi-public spaces |
|---|---|
| Authors | |
| Year of publication | 2014 |
| Type | Chapter of a book |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | The chapter presents an introduction to the concept of „semipublic space“, as used in the present discussions in urban and social geography. It argues that the notion should be understood as analytic rather than descriptive, and it is to be considered in the wider context of the narrative of loss, pertaining to the present state of urban public space. Following this, the rise of semipublic space (such as shopping centres) is seen as a result of the decline of the traditional public space on the one hand and the policing of newly established privatised and sanitised spaces on the other. Semipublic space leads to the idea of consumption-based citizenship, whereby the notions of „safety“ and „comfort“ are merged into a pleasant experience for the consuming middle classes. Using means of social control, such as CCTV, rules of behaviour (including local and municipal ordnances) and architectural and designing techniques, semipublic spaces work towards the exclusion of undesirable visitors, most notably the homeless and other marginal groups. In the final part of the chapter, the process is briefly described using the case of a shopping centre. |
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