A Chalkboard Project: Creating a dialogue between people and place

Abstract

This thesis examines the ‘publicness’ of public space through a focus on the ability for different publics to present their aspirations and expressions in the Auckland suburb of Glen Innes, an area currently undergoing significant urban redevelopment. This research addresses the concern that public space is increasingly shaped by regulation and interests of capital, restricting the ‘public’ nature of space as open and accessible. In this way, this thesis highlights the need to question and challenge these norms and controls through ideas associated with the ‘right to the city’, inspiring publics to demand rights and stake a claim to the future of the urban environment. In order to examine the hopes and desires of local residents in Glen Innes, this project was based on a publicly accessible chalkboard as the central methodological tool which encouraged residents to respond to the statement ‘I hope Glen Innes will…’ The research is also further grounded in deeper understandings of people and place, through interviews and participant observation. Findings suggest that Glen Innes residents lack a voice within current processes of redevelopment and change, as previous efforts at consultation and participation lack the ability to grasp the verbal culture of communication prevalent in this context. The relationship between public space and expression is exposed as a central issue, as certain forms of aspiration are encouraged and facilitated within this space, whilst others are discouraged and deemed antisocial. These ‘alternative’ forms of expression can therefore be understood as expressed out of frustration and indirectly as attempts to claim a right to public space. In turn, this thesis highlights the need for more playful and open methods for examining public space, enabling the realistic inclusion of all publics. It is contended that public space is not dead or degraded, but rather, the nature of control is tenuous and not as ultimate as believed. In recognising the need to question these norms and controls and encourage open expression, this thesis ultimately points towards the importance of re-centring urban life in public space. Key words: public space, Glen Innes, Auckland, urban redevelopment, chalkboard, right to the city.