Speaker
Description
Public spaces are critical components of urban life, serving as venues for social interaction, cultural expression, and community engagement. This study examines the interplay between formal and informal practices in place-making within public spaces, focusing on the urban context of Huifang, China. The research situates public space as a dynamic entity shaped by appropriation, governance frameworks, and socio-cultural practices. It emphasizes the role of bottom-up place-making strategies, contrasting them with formal, top-down approaches. Formal practices, characterized by structured, state-led interventions, prioritize functionality, safety, and aesthetics. In contrast, informal practices emerge organically, driven by community needs and grassroots adaptation.
This paper employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating qualitative data from interviews (semi-structured, unstructured and go-along interviews), structured observations, and geo-narrative mapping, supplemented by the photo voice technique. These methods reveal the nuanced dynamics of public space appropriation, highlighting the interaction between residents, tourists, and formal authorities. Case studies in Huifang illustrate diverse trajectories of place-making, ranging from resident-led grassroots initiatives to tourism-driven development.
Key findings underscore the complementary and conflicting dynamics between formal and informal practices. Formal initiatives, such as heritage preservation and urban redevelopment, often clash with informal activities and community events. However, synergies emerge in collaborative projects that integrate community input into formal planning processes. In Huifang, the transition from community-focused usage to tourism-oriented development reveals the complexities of balancing economic imperatives with cultural preservation.
The study highlights appropriation as a critical process in place-making, enabling communities to adapt and personalize public spaces. This fosters inclusivity, cultural continuity, and local identity, while also rethinking about the power asymmetries that challenge equitable governance. The research also emphasizes the role of temporality, creativity, and collaboration in sustaining vibrant public spaces, particularly in the context of rapid urbanization.
By contextualizing place-making within Chinese governance frameworks, the study sheds light on the tensions between state-led objectives and grassroots practices. Authoritarian governance prioritizes efficiency and economic development, often sidelining community voices, while democratic systems encourage participatory planning but face challenges in reconciling diverse stakeholder interests.
This research contributes to the broader discourse on urban place-making by elucidating the interplay between formal and informal practices in shaping public spaces. It provides actionable insights for urban planners, policymakers, and community organizations, advocating for inclusive strategies that harmonize governance priorities with the needs and aspirations of local communities. The findings underscore the importance of participatory frameworks and adaptive policies in creating resilient, significant public spaces that support equitable urban development.
| Keywords | Public spaces; Informal practices; Urban governance; Community appropriation |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
