To what extent is the privatisation of public spaces
an issue for urban designers and
how can they address it?
A phenomenon unique to the UK?
University of Westminster
Essay Susanne Grolle
Privatisation of public space
2
Context
Introduction... 3
1. Privatisation of public space ... 5
1.1.
History and recent trends ... 5
1.2.
Discussion... 9
2.
Case studies... 11
2.1.
Case study 1 ... 11
2.2.
Case study 2 ... 13
2.3.
Discussion... 15
3.
Conclusion... 16
References ... 18
List of illustrations ... 21
University of Westminster
Essay Susanne Grolle
Privatisation of public space
3
I
NTRODUCTION
In recent years the privatisation of public space has become the subject of much
discussion and debate among critics of today's urban development. In the United
Kingdom and throughout the world, the appearance of our cities is being transformed
by public space privatisation. In other parts of Europe this topic is becoming a very
contemporary and controversial issue as well. As one of the biggest cities in
Germany, Hamburg shows processes of privatisation of public space. Its current
HafenCity project reveals one of the biggest regeneration projects managed from and
financed by private and public sources.
What do we mean by the privatisation process and what are its benefits and
disadvantages toward the quality of urban living?
Privatisation describes the process of change within the management and ownership
of open spaces. It is perceived as a part of Post-modernism and the post-modern
city, where the "city provides the context for the social, economic and cultural
changes brought about by the globalised new economy" (Minton, A. (2006) p. 5).
Corporate governance in shopping malls, business parks, entertainment complexes
and business improvement districts can be seen as part of this progression. The
trend towards community or joint private ownership of assets such as community
centres and parks is an element of the progressive privatisation of public spaces
which reduces the pool of openly shared public spaces in towns and cities.
Membership passes and fees can be used to regulate who uses the facility and how
the spaces are utilised.
Traditionally we differentiate public spaces in terms of the rules of access, the source
and nature of control over entry and rules of use. Therefore a place is public when
anyone can enter it and no restrictions, other than Common Law and public safety to
behaviour or use of the place is given. Public space is commonly understood as a
state owned open space free of regulations, which this essay will discuss.
In different societies, times and places "public space" has been interpreted very
differently. Today a public space in a more private society will not be understood
University of Westminster
Essay Susanne Grolle
Privatisation of public space
4
without considering the private spaces as a product of modern capitalist society
(Low, S. & Smith, N. (2006) p. 4.).
A Private space is demarcated and protected by state-regulated rules of private
property use. This kind of space is not easily accessible to the public an owner or
group of owners is essential. Access and use is regulated and limited to a certain
number of people.
A semi-private space is partly private but is more accessible to people other than the
owners or users.
This document will not analyse the different roles public spaces have but will mention
the main aspects. Public spaces carry a very important cultural role as well as social
and political functions for the community, society and civilisation. Civic and
development roles, in addition to commercial uses, are relevant in regards to public
spaces and their importance. Public spaces can be seen as a visionary vehicle for
change through their design, technology and use.
University of Westminster
Essay Susanne Grolle
Privatisation of public space
5
1.
P
RIVATISATION OF PUBLIC SPACE
1.1. History and recent trends
Privately owned spaces given to the public or a certain group of the public society is
not a recent phenomenon. In the UK and other parts of Europe a process of
privatisation can be recognized throughout history.
In the 18
th
century private estates created squares and other community centres to
enhance the value of the surrounding properties and to increase the quality of life
within the estate. Most of these places were gated and a limited number of people
had access and permission to use the facility. Good examples can be found in
Bloomsbury and Barnsbury. (See Figure 1)
Figure 1: Lonsdale Square, Barnsbury, Islington, London, Scale 1:2500.
1
1
Source: Islington National Survey Data.
University of Westminster
Essay Susanne Grolle
Privatisation of public space
6
Some of these squares were given to the public in the 19
th
or 20
th
century but some
still belong to the developer and have restricted access and use.
In the time Margaret Thatcher was British Prime Minister (1979-1990), dramatic
changes in land ownership and company management took place through a wide
policy of privatisation to establish urban development corporations. "First, it seized
control over urban development from local government and was undemocratic.
Second, it resulted in the widespread privatisation of public space. (...) Such
privatisation of public space erodes urbanity and social cohesion." (McGuigan, J.
(1996) p. 104)
Canary Wharf and the Docklands regeneration project is one of such major areas
redeveloped during the Thatcher era. Many private estates and public spaces are
also located in these areas.
Over the last decades a process of increasing private spaces in public areas has
been identified. Most spaces are owned by an entity, be it private organisations,
private individuals or financial institutions. Government owned space is often thought
of as `public`. As quoted in the A. Minton´s "The privatisation of public space" (p. 9)
and in reference to Monbiot, G. (22.2.95) A Land Reform Manifesto (The Guardian),
only 4% of land in England and Wales is known as `commons` within The Land
Registry.
British monarchs always owned large areas of the country which could be clarified as
private land as they were subject to their rules and regulations.
Large parts of London's centre are owned by a small group of wealthy landlords who
control vast areas of the city. With this process taking place the capital will become a
place of gated squares and private streets, where public access is restricted and
controlled. One of the most bizarre examples is More London in Southwark. The area
of around 52,600 m² is home to the Greater London Authority but certainly under
private ownership and management. (Refer to 2.1)
Privatisation in the public realm appears in a lot of very different cases and
variations. A short description of some samples will be given in the following. One
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