Public Space and the Contracting-out of Publicness: A Framework for Analysis

Abstract

During the last two decades the literature on public space has registered the emergence of alternative forms of pubic space provision that depart from the traditional model of direct state ownership and management. The picture that emerges is a complex one, not so much one of privatization, but instead one of complex redistribution of roles, rights and responsibilities in public space governance to a range of social actors beyond the state. This paper discusses an approach to understanding the forms of publicness implicit in alternative forms of public space governance. Issues of rights, access, accountability and control could be examined in public space governance arrangements based on contracts, legal agreements and performance management mechanisms involving private and voluntary entities instead of the traditional public sector processes of policy delivery and accountability. The paper proposes a framework for investigating how 'publicness' is constructed and maintained through these arrangements.

Privatization of Public Spaces and Its Impact on the Socio-Political and Spatial Landscapes of the Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCCID)

“…"Hybrid" public spaces are either created and owned by private organizations or formerly created by the state, but management or ownership being later contracted out to the private sector (ibid). While this is often considered to be more of a phenomenon in North America, it has gained momentum globally as well (Hoyt, 2003;De Magalhães, 2010).…”

“…The state-centered model of management and provision of public spaces, which is regarded as the conventional practice of providing and managing public spaces depends/relies mostly on public sector institutions, with least support from either the private or the voluntary sector (De Magalhães and Carmona, 2009;De Magalhães, 2010). However, threats posed by the contemporary demands on public spaces have stimulated other social agents in the private and community/voluntary sectors to assume a larger role in the provision and management of public spaces to meet such demands (ibid).…”

Rethinking Potentials of Public Space and its Management Through Placemaking in Kuala Lumpur

“…Carmona understood that access to public space is free for all and it is related to a physical space. Similarly, Claudio (2010) [3], defines public space as extended to communal and no-private arenas regardless of ownership including semi-public, luminal or third spaces. Norberg (2007) [10], clarifies that space represents the physical container of activities and objects while the place is a point where physiological and psychological needs meet.…”

Street as Public Space - Measuring Street Life of Kuala Lumpur

“…The necessary activities are more frequent during the daytime, and it changes to social activities during the evening time. Malaysia's early settlements begin with 'main streets' that activities foster social interactions within crowds engaging with selling and buying activities [6,[8][9][10][11]. Again social activities observed occurs more during the evening and are located around the restaurant and local food parlours.…”