The City as a Space of Conflict

The Right to the City emphasizes the idea that urban spaces should be designed and governed in a way that promotes social justice, equity, and democratic participation for all. Lefebvre argued that urban environments should not be solely controlled by economic interests or political elites but should instead prioritize the needs and desires of ordinary citizens.

I feel like Lefebvre's ideas push for reconsideration of how cities are designed and organized. It made me reflect on the dominant role of capitalism and how it shapes urban environments. Something specific that I thought about while reading The Right to the City was the design and redevelopment of affordable housing around the world. Although it’s more common now, it used to be that affordable housing projects were planned and built without any input from the community.