Possible space

Abstract

Public space is becoming more exclusive as increased privatization and surveillance inform the shape and content of the urban landscape. The shift towards securing the city results in vapid, empty plazas and 'festive' commercial spaces focused on safety, entertainment, and consumerism, discouraging the presence of marginal populations or groups who wish to use these spaces for other purposes. Nonetheless, protestors, the homeless, various subcultures, and people calling themselves guerrilla gardeners are discovering ways to reclaim public space. This thesis looks in particular at how citizens have transformed vacant spaces, such as abandoned warehouses and vacant lots, into vibrant and evolving public spaces. Utilizing a theoretical framework derived from game design principles and characteristics gleaned from a study of vacant lot appropriation, the thesis proposes how a landscape architect might design a system that enables the public to design their own public spaces.