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Celebrating Public Spaces

  • Writer: Ardian Wiratama
    Ardian Wiratama
  • Jul 22, 2024
  • 7 min read

Life Chances and the Need for Public Spaces for Society

For some people, public spaces are essential and meaningful throughout their lives. Bob Dylan has always regarded Washington Square Park as a historic venue that significantly influenced his music career. It was in this park, located in the heart of New York City, where Bob Dylan often played music while voicing his social view. The Jardin des Tuileries in Paris left a lasting impression on the impressionist painter Claude Monet, who spent much of his time painting there. It is no wonder that many of his paintings depict the scenery, lighting, and atmosphere of the Jardin des Tuileries. Furthermore, the writer Charles Dickens, whom you probably know from a young age, drew much inspiration from the Regent’s Park where he frequently strolled. In his novels "Bleak House" and "Great Expectations," Dickens captured the essence of urban life and the characters that inhabit the city, inspired by his walks in Regent’s Park. Lastly, and perhaps most famously, there is Strawberry Fields, a children's playground that left a profound impression on John Lennon's childhood and eventually inspired a legendary song. Indeed, public spaces can have a substantial impact on people's lives.


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Figure 1 Washington Square Park, a vibrant open space at the heart of New York City, where multicultural activities converge and thrive.(Jamaluddin, 2017)

Because of this influence, we often wonder about the extent of the impact public urban spaces could have if access to them were well guaranteed for everyone. Could the existence of these public spaces be something that most people can celebrate? This time, we are not discussing the methods, prerequisites, or other parameters for creating good urban public spaces. This article will first address the needs and reasons why urban public spaces must be accessible to society.

Life Chances Theory by Ralf Dahrendorf: Fundamental Human Needs for Opportunities

It is always intriguing to begin a discussion about public spaces through a sociological perspective. One particularly relevant and fascinating theory to reflect upon in the context of developing countries and cities is Ralf Dahrendorf's Life Chances Theory. This theory, which has evolved over time, revolves around two main components: options and ligatures (Dahrendorf, 1979).


In this theory, options aim to understand the social structures that influence an individual's access to resources and opportunities, such as education, employment, and public facilities, all of which are intended to enhance social mobility and the well-being of urban society. Conversely, ligatures refer to preferences, motivations, individual needs, and cultural dynamics that can influence or limit access to life opportunities. These limitations further suggest that even if the infrastructure is available, it may not be fully effective without considering individual needs, preferences, and the impact of local culture. In other words, it is crucial to design urban spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also accommodate the preferences of the city's inhabitants.


Can Public Spaces Support the Process of Social Mobility?

Social status is intrinsically linked to human nature. Many factors drive individuals to aspire to higher social status, primarily due to the need for recognition from others. Ultimately, life chances will significantly influence the process of social mobility within a society, as they involve the available options and limitations (ligatures). Social mobility can be explained as the individual movement from one social class to another, and the stratification of economic, occupational, and political groups with which this movement is associated (Sorokin, 1927), as cited in (Joslyn, 1927).


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Figure 2 A public space can become a vibrant hub for socializing and forging connections with the broader community. (Tack, 2013)

In the context of access to public spaces, social mobility can be assessed by how effectively these spaces open opportunities to enhance social or economic status. We can consider the following aspects:


Economic Aspect: 

Good and vibrant public spaces can open economic opportunities. These spaces provide specific economic groups the chance to engage in their economic activities, indirectly contributing to social mobility. For example, well-equipped public spaces near business centre can serve as 'co-working spaces' for freelancers to develop their businesses without renting expensive offices.


Social and Health Aspects: 

The most crucial benefit is the guarantee of social interactions that can occur in public spaces. These networks can influence many aspects, notably social mobility through social interaction. Moreover, although not directly impactful, well-maintained green public spaces can improve the physical and mental health of the surrounding community, thus influencing productivity and social mobility.


Policy and Infrastructure Aspects: 

More inclusive policymaking ensures equal access for all societal groups. Additionally, managing public spaces to support social and cultural activities within communities will act as a catalyst for social mobility.

Social mobility in public spaces plays a critical role in creating more inclusive and sustainable cities. By ensuring these spaces are accessible and usable by everyone, and by providing facilities and programs that support education, health, and the economy, governments and urban planners can help reduce inequality and enhance life chances for all citizens. Design and policies that prioritize inclusivity and community participation are key to maximizing the potential of public spaces in supporting social mobility.


Public Spaces in Jakarta: A Stage for Social and Cultural Existence

We can often observe how public spaces in Indonesia, particularly in Jakarta, are filled with incidental spaces and spontaneous activities that lean towards contemporary culture. People's behaviour in public spaces tends to be more flexible and casual, often exceeding expectations. Public spaces in Jakarta, such as city parks, sidewalks, and plazas, are frequently utilized for various spontaneous activities, from morning exercise and street performances to pop-up markets. This phenomenon reflects the dynamic and adaptive nature of the urban population, who use every available space to gather, socialize, and create something. These activities are often unplanned and diverse, showcasing the cultural richness and varied needs of the community.

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Figure 3 Public spaces serve as platforms for social and contemporary cultural expression, creating spontaneous, creative, and valuable areas.(Label, 2022)

This behaviour demonstrates how Jakarta's residents can adapt to the available spaces, creating activities that bring life to these areas, even if sometimes outside formal planning. This flexibility allows people from all levels of society to participate in public spaces without strict limitations, making these spaces inclusive for everyone. Casual and spontaneous activities not only reveal the community's creativity but also their ability to find and create value in spaces that might be overlooked or underutilized in conventional urban planning. It seems that the more open cultural practices of Indonesian society in social activities have become a good foundation for making public spaces more meaningful. Public spaces can be celebrated in individual ways, as long as they remain within the bounds of prevailing norms.


In the context of Ralf Dahrendorf's Life Chances Theory, this phenomenon illustrates how public spaces can serve as arenas for enhancing social mobility through education, economy, and social interaction. The flexibility and inclusiveness of public spaces allow various societal groups to participate and create value, which is crucial for reducing inequality and improving general well-being. Design and policies that support the use of public spaces for spontaneous and casual activities can be key to creating a fairer and more sustainable city.


Reflection: Designing and Celebrating Public Spaces for All

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Figure 4 Inclusive open spaces play a pivotal role in enhancing social well-being and driving the economic growth of a city.

As urban designers or policymakers, creating public spaces that support social mobility is both a challenge and a significant opportunity. Ralf Dahrendorf's Life Chances Theory offers a valuable framework for understanding how space and policy can impact the life chances of individuals and groups. The following reflections highlight key principles and strategies that should be considered in the process of planning and designing inclusive public spaces that support social mobility:


Principles of Inclusive Design

  • Accessibility for All:

    • Reflection: Public spaces should be designed with accessibility in mind for all societal groups, including children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Examples include wide sidewalks, wheelchair-friendly paths, and easily accessible public facilities.

    • Action: Implementing universal design principles that accommodate various user needs ensures that no one feels marginalized or restricted in accessing public spaces.

 

  • Flexibility and Adaptability:

    • Reflection: Spontaneous and incidental activities often reflect real community needs that may not be captured in formal planning. Flexible public spaces allow for unplanned activities and adapt to changing community needs.

    • Action: Create multifunctional spaces with design elements that can be easily adapted for various activities, such as open areas that can be used for markets, art performances, or sports activities.


  • Community Participation:

    • Reflection: Involving the community in the planning and design process of public spaces ensures that their needs and aspirations are reflected in the final outcome. Community participation not only enhances the relevance of the design but also fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility toward public spaces.

    • Action: Conduct workshops, public discussions, and surveys to gather input from diverse community groups and actively involve them in decision-making.

Design Strategies Supporting Social Mobility

  • Economic Opportunities in Public Spaces:

    • Reflection: Creating economic opportunities in public spaces, such as pop-up markets or bazaars, allows people from various economic backgrounds to engage in economic activities.

    • Action: Provide infrastructure that supports informal economic activities, such as affordable kiosks for rent, well-designed market areas, and administrative support for small traders.

 

  • Social and Health Facilities:

    • Reflection: Public spaces that support the physical and mental health of the community, such as parks with jogging paths, playgrounds, and sports facilities, can improve quality of life and productivity.

    • Action: Design urban parks and green spaces equipped with accessible sports and recreation facilities and organize preventive health programs like morning exercises or regular health check-ups.


Management and Maintenance of Public Spaces

  • Inclusive and Sustainable Management:

    • Reflection: Inclusive and sustainable management of public spaces ensures their long-term usability by all societal groups.

    • Action: Develop collaborative management models involving local communities, government, and the private sector in the maintenance and development of public spaces.

 

  • Continuous Monitoring and Evaluation:

    • Reflection: Continuous monitoring and evaluation of the use and impact of public spaces allow for necessary adjustments to enhance functionality and inclusiveness.

    • Action: Conduct regular surveys, interviews, and case studies to collect data on how public spaces are used and their impact on community life, and implement changes based on these findings.


Conclusion

Designing public spaces that support social mobility within the context of Ralf Dahrendorf's Life Chances Theory requires a holistic, inclusive, and adaptive approach. Urban designers and policymakers must consider accessibility, flexibility, community participation, and provide facilities that support education, economy, health, and social interaction. In doing so, public spaces can become catalysts for reducing inequality and enhancing life chances for all citizens, creating a fairer and more sustainable city.


As a final note to this article, the author encourages each of us, as part of the urban community, to view public spaces as arenas for social interaction. Celebrating public spaces might be an apt phrase because, like any celebration, we all want to participate.



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