. Theories and Methods
The research project frames public space justice through four domains of justice: distributive, procedural, interactional, and recognitional, as described in the Just Urban Design volume (MIT, 2021).
The research project frames public space justice through four domains of justice: distributive, procedural, interactional, and recognitional, as described in the Just Urban Design volume (MIT, 2021).
- Distributive: equal distribution of public investments and infrastructure across the city;
- Procedural: inclusive design process;
- Interactional: inclusive and empowering built forms;
- Recognitional: spatial resources for underrepresented groups.
These four justice domains will be explored and mobilized according to concepts and arguments regarding analysis and representation as described in the emerging area of study called urban humanities.
The research project combines analysis methods described in American planner Dana Cuff’s concept of “urban humanities” and “thick mapping” and Jan Gelh’s analytical techniques to study public life.
It will “thicken” the understanding of the study area by combining archival and fieldwork research with GIS mapping and formal analysis methods known as urban morphology and architectural typology. Particular attention will be paid to the experience and “unseen” uses of the street and how residents use and experience it. The research methodology should be seen as a series of practices that work across research, representation, and action.
The study pursues multiple interconnected scales from the city to the body: the street in the city, the street in the neighbourhood, the street interface, and the experience of the street.