Download full text
(external source)
Citation Suggestion
Please use the following Persistent Identifier (PID) to cite this document:
https://doi.org/10.17645/up.v3i3.1363
Exports for your reference manager
A Lefebvrian Analysis of Public Spaces in Mangaung, South Africa
[journal article]
Abstract
Hoffman Square, Driehoek Neighbourhood Park and Old Regional Park are public spaces in Mangaung. Henri Lefebvre’s The Production of Space and Elements of Rhythmanalysis are explored in the analysis of these public spaces’ organised representations, representational uses and rhythmic spatial practice... view more
Hoffman Square, Driehoek Neighbourhood Park and Old Regional Park are public spaces in Mangaung. Henri Lefebvre’s The Production of Space and Elements of Rhythmanalysis are explored in the analysis of these public spaces’ organised representations, representational uses and rhythmic spatial practices. This article found that: (1) public spaces in Mangaung are lived spaces that are regularly appropriated by inhabitants whose unpoliced social practices of vandalism and littering - along with the harsh regional climate - deteriorate the physical quality of the public spaces, secreting environmental incivility in the public spaces; (2) cyclical rhythms of night and day times have a practical impact on the spatial practices of each public space in spite of their design and location. For example, day-time entails high and rapid levels of public space uses while night-time diffuses these dynamics significantly; and (3) Mangaung’s spatial plans encourage the liberal uses of its public spaces however, it fails to enforce its by-laws to curb experienced physical decay of, and environmental incivility in, the public spaces. This increases the vulnerability of its public spaces to external shocks - emanating from nature and society - thus depriving the public spaces of an opportunity to be perceived as alternatives for urban regeneration and local economic revitalisation.... view less
Classification
Area Development Planning, Regional Research
Sociology of Settlements and Housing, Urban Sociology
Free Keywords
Bloemfontein; Henri Lefebvre; Thaba Nchu; public space; secondary cities
Document language
English
Publication Year
2018
Page/Pages
p. 26-39
Journal
Urban Planning, 3 (2018) 3
Issue topic
Urban Planning and the Spatial Ideas of Henri Lefebvre
ISSN
2183-7635
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed