Speaker
Description
Urban public spaces, which naturally draw diverse users and activities, remain a key topic of discussion, especially as migration and urban unpredictability continue to rise. Theories on public space highlight the importance of social interactions in all urban environments, including superdiverse examples. However, particularly in ethnically diverse, disadvantaged communities, urban policy and design tools aimed at addressing the complexities of diversity and socio-spatial inequalities are often insufficient. For this, details of everyday use and actual users of urban public spaces that are attracting diverse populations to foster inclusion in public space.
At the intersection of urban public space and migration, this paper focuses on Martim Moniz Square located in a highly diversely populated neighborhood in Lisbon. Almost 90 different nationalities are mentioned to live in the area. The rhythm of everyday life in this area sets it apart from other parts of central Lisbon. The businesses and activities in the square are primarily run by non-Western communities, attracting a diverse crowd for work, leisure, and social interactions. Martim Moniz Square exemplifies city’s multicultural identity by serving as a dynamic urban square and center where history, culture, and modernity come together, making it a distinctive site. The square’s evolution reflects periods of urban renewal, various master plans, design competitions and influences from both modernist and postmodern design, accompanied by debates over privatization. In 2020, a participatory project for Martim Moniz resulted inin an international urban design initiative envisioning a “world garden” in the square. However, these efforts coexist with persistent socio-political challenges, as the square has recently become a focal point for xenophobic incidents, racist rhetoric, and public protests against such exclusionary behaviorsThis juxtaposition highlights the tensions between urban renewal efforts and the area’s complex social realities.
To critically explore the concept of micro-publics, as discussed by Amin (2002), this study evaluates the everyday use patterns, spontaneous appropriation, group behaviour and created borders within the physical space of Martim Moniz Square through an ethnographic lens for which a field study has been realized. The square reveals a tension between modern and traditional notions of public space, challenging static or stereotypical definitions, while also highlighting its role as migrant infrastructure. the main findings discuss the diverse meanings and potential of public spaces within migration context, highlighting its ordinary role and power to stimulate socio-spatial patterns in everyday life, beyond predetermined design and planning solutions.
| Keywords | public space; migration; Lisbon; micro-publics; diversity; inclusion; exclusion |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | No |
