PUBLIC SPACE AS A CATALYST FOR CITY DEVELOPMENT

Jacek Szołtysek

Uniwersytet Ekonomiczny w Katowicach
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3266-0241

Abstract

The implementation of urban policy nowadays is accompanied by a tightening of the atmosphere of discourse, polarization of positions and a move away from the principles of seeking a compromise. Such a trend is fostered by the transfer of discussion to the virtual sphere. Self-control ceases to work on the Internet and the apparent anonymity eliminates all barriers and brakes. These conditions cause the discussion, instead of leading to a compromise, to stratify the local community into hostile groups. The creation of public spaces in cities, apart from many positive effects known from literature, may also have a positive impact on changing the style of discussion. The aim of this article is to indicate the additional usefulness of public spaces in organizing the discourse of supporters of various interest groups in the city, contributing to the development of the city.

Keywords:

public space, strategy, conflict, populism, real and virtual world