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Global economic instabilities are causing various changes in individuals' daily lives, and public space is also being affected by these transformations. One of these transformations is the evolving practices of alcohol consumption, influenced by both rising alcohol prices and the search for alternative social gatherings. Public drinking is not just about consuming alcohol; it is also a form of placemaking. This practice reshapes public space and challenges traditional boundaries of urban life. It serves as an intermediary institution, enabling people from different income groups and ages to gather and engage in social interaction, thereby transforming streets from mere transit routes into socially engaging environments.
Within the scope of this study, the concept of public drinking, which has become more prevalent in recent years, is examined through the lens of “heterotopia” (Foucault & Miskowiec,1986) and “third place” (Oldenburg,1989) theories to explore how it creates an other space. To achieve this objective, two streets in Istanbul, catering to different income groups on both the European and Asian sides of the city, were observed to understand why they are preferred for public drinking. The study examines how spatial attributes direct the occurrence of group behaviors and explores which characteristics of these streets align with being third places and heterotopias. Observations were conducted during different seasons—winter, spring, and summer—and at various time intervals to account for the temporal and seasonal effects on behaviors in both cases.
In the initial stage of the study, Ahmet Fetgari Street, located on the European side near Nişantaşı, was examined. This area is predominantly frequented by individuals aged 25–35 and is characterized by a mainstream socio-economic profile. This street is used as a gathering space by this particular group even during the daytime. However, due to the recent opening of an all-day drinking venue, an evening pattern of purchasing drinks from the venue and spilling out into the street, forming groups on the sidewalks, has emerged. The desire to generate social capital by being seen on the street, along with drinking, has transformed the space.
In contrast, the second street examined is Dr. İhsan Ünlüer Street on the Asian side, which is frequently visited by students and others of all ages for pre-drinking, especially due to its proximity to a bar district. A nearby convenience kiosk sells alcohol, and groups that cannot afford to drink in the bars but still want to enjoy the music or be part of the community gather on the street. The absence of a designated sidewalk results in groups spilling into the roadway, forming spatial patterns influenced by proximity to the kiosk. Furthermore, the practice of drinking on the street extends to the stairs of nearby apartment buildings. Transforming from a mere transit route into a gathering space for disadvantaged groups and ensuring spatial justice, the street also invades the semi-public areas of residents, causing disturbances. This dual function underscores the street's evolution into a heterotopia, reflecting the intersection of social, economic, and spatial contradictions.
In conclusion, through public drinking, these streets become 'third places' and ‘heterotopias’. This practice fosters communication and reinforces social capital (Bourdieu,1986) through lowered inhibitions associated with intoxication and a shared sense of group identity. While Ahmet Fetgari Street exemplifies mainstream visibility and social prestige, Dr. İhsan Ünlüer Street serves as a more accessible and contested urban space. These cases highlight how economic pressures and social dynamics reshape urban environments, positioning them as inclusive and contested spaces. By bridging theories of third place and heterotopia, this study highlights the fluid nature of urban spaces.
References
Oldenburg, R. (1989) The great good place: Cafés, coffee shops, community centers, beauty parlors, general stores, bars, hangouts, and how they get you through the day. New York: Paragon House.
Foucault, M. and Miskowiec, J. (1986) ‘Of other spaces’, Diacritics, 16(1), pp. 22–27. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2307/464648.
Bourdieu, P. (1986) ‘The forms of capital’, in Richardson, J.G. (ed.) Handbook of theory and research for the sociology of education. New York: Greenwood Press, pp. 241–258.
| Keywords | public drinking, heterotopia, third place, İstanbul |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
