Cultural Geographies: Analyzing Public Space and Identity Expression

This essay critically analyzes the utilization of public spaces by diverse communities for expressing their identities, emphasizing the democratic right of individuals to use these spaces while acknowledging the complexities in defining legitimate versus offensive usage. It argues that public spaces should be accessible to all, irrespective of background, and that denying access infringes on democratic rights. The essay further discusses the importance of tolerance and inclusivity in public spaces, particularly concerning sexuality, and stresses the responsibility of governments and communities to maintain the liberal spirit of these spaces. It concludes that public space is symbolic of community and should be free from coercion, advocating for new models of citizenship based on inclusivity rather than limited usage.

Running head: NEGOTIATION WITH PUBLIC SPACE
Negotiation with Public Space
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

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NEGOTIATION WITH PUBLIC SPACE
The essay centers round the issue of public space and its utilization by the different
communities and which forms an essential part in expressing their identities. It has been a
rising concern in the present decade about the demarcation of public space by communities
for the purpose of their personal usages, or as a platform to give articulation to their identity.
As it is, public space offers the advantage of anonymity, individuals engage in discussion or
practice their religious beliefs. Every individual should be bestowed with the right of using
public space in a democratic manner since it forms an essential component of a diversified
community. However, it may be important to note that the areas which demarcates between
the legitimate and offensive usage of public space are rather vague. The essay is divided into
three paragraphs in order to offer a critical analysis of individual’s right to public spaces in
order to give a notion to their sense of identity.
Topic Sentence 1: public spaces are emblematic of democracy and communal harmony
The arena of public spaces should be accessible and open to all irrespective of their
caste, religious beliefs, sexual orientation and preference or other inclinations. Every
individual should have equal access to resources and commodities in a public space, if one is
denying access to an individual or a community’s access to the public sphere he/she is being
deprived of basic democratic rights. The practice of one’s religious beliefs without hurting
the feelings of another is a fundamental aspect of democracy (Kellner 2014). Every
individual should have the right to express their feelings without the feeling of insecurity or
fear using his/her minimal resources. A truly democratic society is a plural society with the
idea of public space as an arena to negotiate peace and harmony. It is the role of the
communities to ensure that nobody is getting hindered from construing a public space based
on the close harmony between each other ideological beliefs, in this respect one can bring the
question of constructing eruvim which are often constructed in the middle of urban space. An

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acceptance of these religious beliefs and usage of public space in a peaceful manner is the
hallmark of 21st century modern and secular society (Kellner 2014).
Topic Sentence 2: sexuality cannot be compartmentalize according to public spaces
Public space is not merely background to the life of individuals but it is a result of
complex human behavior and his relationship to the other members within the space.
Recently, the castration of homosexual behavior as a means of securing the traditional ideas
of heterosexual relationship and family structure posed fearful for those sections of people
who are not given complete access to the public domain (Rodó-de-Zárate 2015). This gives
birth to the idea of bigotry and minority class, a symbol of regressive society. There can
never exist a geography to demarcate sexuality which should be allowed to give a free
expression in the democratic sphere. No single community or sect should be governing the
right to establish monopoly of power over others by negotiating the dos and not to dos in the
public sphere.
Topic Sentence 3: government and communities are to be vested with the authority to
maintain the liberal spirit of public space
It becomes the core responsibility of the government and different communities to
ensure that the public domain is not transformed into an instrument of power and authority
(Valentine 2017). Creating a tolerant community in order to ensure that every single member
is included within the social membrane is essential in a diverse country like Australia will
also facilitate public engagement and socio-cultural diversity. The community should be
based on rationality and tolerance to eradicate communal tension and include a holistic
approach towards the community (Bodnar 2015). Public sphere should never be made on the
basis of absolute and limitless freedom which will corrode the very basic spirits of
democracy.

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Therefore from the above discussion it can be concluded that public domain is
symbolic of community and therefore the right to public space should be viewed as a basic
right of every individual belonging from the community. The essay makes it clear that
forging new models of citizenship based on the limited usage of public space is absurd and
incorrect. Manifestation or yielding of any kind of power with public space as the medium is
both unethical and unbecoming of a democratic state. Public space should therefore be freed
of stigma and coerciveness of any form.

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Reference List:
Bodnar, J., 2015. Reclaiming public space.
Connell, J. and Iveson, K., 2014. An Eruv for St Ives? Religion, identity, place and conflict
on the Sydney north shore. Australian Geographer, 45(4), pp.429-446.
Kellner, D., 2014. Habermas, the public sphere, and democracy. In Re-imagining public
space (pp. 19-43). Palgrave Macmillan, New York.
Rodó-de-Zárate, M., 2015. Young lesbians negotiating public space: an intersectional
approach through places. Children's Geographies, 13(4), pp.413-434.
Rose, N., 2017. Beyond the public/private division: law, power and the family. In Law and
Families (pp. 33-48). Routledge.
Valentine, G., 2017. Public space and the culture of childhood. Routledge.