rethinking urban spaces
From my view, Harvey's concept of the "right to the city" isn't a proposal for complete governmental control or the elimination of capitalism. But an emphasis on involving the democratic processes to ensure that public spaces are collectively owned and reflective of the people who use them. Regarding architecture and participation, this notion simply highlights the significance of citizen involvement in shaping urban development and advocating for policies that prioritize social justice, accessibility, and equitable access to spaces conducive to political gatherings. The current systems may not be suitable with this approach because of the increasing privatization of public spaces, but a new model encouraging people to challenge prevailing power structures and advocate for more democratic urban governance is necessary. Spaces that promote coalition-building, grassroots activism, and community engagement are essential for societies pushing for progressive, better change.
William I think you summed up the reading very well. In my post I think I may have gotten a little more hung up on the overarching philosophical arguments but I guess that is what I immediately connected a discussion to. I was not sure of the extent to which Harvey was advocating for change. In some parts it did seem like he was saying things like "we dont have the stomach for radical shifts" and what not. However, I agree with you that overall we need to shift our values and like you described increasing citizens involvement in the shaping of our urban spaces.
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