Intervention II: Public Space or Contested Territory?
Last updated
Last updated
Walking through La Florida I found myself in a neighborhood shaped by migration, informal economies, and shifting urban policies. Here public space is not just a backdrop but a site of negotiation, where different communities forge their presence in ways that challenge conventional urban planning.
My intervention was simple: being there, observing, and talking to the people who shape these spaces every day. Moving through the streets, I noticed how public space becomes an extension of private life, markets spilling onto sidewalks, elderly groups occupying plazas, and children repurposing alleyways as playgrounds. Public space here is fluid, constantly adapted to the needs of those who use it.
Through a couple of short interviews, I gained insight into the tensions that define La Florida. Some residents spoke about the lack of investment in community infrastructure, while others highlighted how migrant-led businesses bring life to the streets yet remain vulnerable to displacement.
One shop owner explained how local policies restrict street vending, limiting economic opportunities for those who rely on it. Another resident described feeling like an outsider in their own city, as gentrification pushes affordable housing further out of reach.
These conversations reinforced a core idea in my research: public space is contested, shaped by power dynamics, yet also full of possibilities for grassroots interventions. My goal is not to document these realities but to explore how design can support local agency, creating spaces where communities and not just policymakers, decide how their environments evolve! ?!
This intervention was about trying to engage, going out of my comfort zone and understanding how La Florida’s residents navigate and redefine public space daily. It is a reminder that before designing for communities, we must first listen to them!
Beyond everyday adaptations, what helps to sustain La Florida’s contested public spaces is community-led organization. While policies often overlook or restrict informal use of public space, local initiatives, street art, and cultural events become acts of resistance and empowerment.
