The Politics of Public Space

by Mark Jacques, Peter Chambers, Tom Andrews, Libby Porter, Claire Martin, Tania Davidge

The Politics of Public Space is a quarterly publication of transcripts that speak directly to the city and the way we read it. The first issue contains excerpts from Mark Jacques, Tania Davidge, Tom Andrews & Peter Chambers, Libby Porter and Claire Martin. Each to an individual extent touch on recent events which have shaped how Melbourne's public spaces are discussed and understood. Tom Andrews & Peter Chambers provide a summary of their research into the development of general protective measures instigated by Governments here in Melbourne. Following the community response to the proposed redevelopment of Federation Square's Yarra Building site, Tania Davidge spoke on the proposal and the relationship between physical and digital public space. Libby Porter outlines the processes of dispossession in the city and the Swanston Square apartment building. With Lincoln Square as the backdrop, Mark Jacques proposes devices of inclusion in the design of public space. Claire Martin speaks about the privatisation of public space, and how this impacts the way the city is formed and occupied.

Genres: Nonfiction

187 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2020

Reviews

[Tash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good documentation and notation on the speakers of the RMIT series on public space.

I feel this was very well translated from physical talks into a book format.

I feel there could have been more interlude/contextual pieces between each speaker’s piece as it felt a little jump around to many topics and would have felt more cohesive with a “curatorial” or overarching narratorial voice. The voice was present in the context of interviews with important figures, but I feel would have been really interesting to interject between each speaker’s piece with further context or insight.

This is such an amazing publication, there is so much complex and intelligent thought throughout this book that deepens the contemporary understanding of public space and how to not only exist but create within it.

Am definitely looking forward to the next edition!

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

¡¡Muy Bueno!!