A living room in the city: the place of public space in the everyday lives of Middle Eastern women in Greater Brisbane

Abstract

With the first step people take out of their homes, they enter public territory. One of the significant visions for urban planners producing spaces for public life is creating a feeling of comfort for each urban dweller in this wide territory of many. Successful public spaces can only be produced through informed planning and understanding the needs of all urban dwellers. In an attempt to understand the needs of one group of urban dwellers, Middle Eastern women in Greater Brisbane, this study investigates their everyday experiences of public spaces in Greater Brisbane and explores the suitability of available public spaces for this group.The aim of this study is to answer questions about the roles that urban spaces play in the daily lives of migrant women to find ways of making better connections between their everyday experience as migrants and public spaces as a constituent element of social life. To introduce a platform in which the voice of this minority group could be heard this study is an attempt to explore and understand the role and structure of urban spaces from three different angles: the meaning of public and private space, and relationships between the two spaces; diversity and migration and the impact of these on the everyday life of migrant people (especially on their use of public space); and women and their needs and expectations for urban spaces. These three different themes, in addition to the characteristics of Australian society and cities, could describe the main question of this research: how can the experiences of Middle Eastern migrant women using public spaces inform the planning and design of such spaces?Phenomenology is the research approach adopted in this study. A Phenomenological approach is appropriate when the research question requires an intimate awareness and deep understanding of how humans experience a situation. Based on data collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with twenty Middle Eastern women, and with the assist of NVivo software and Phenomenological approach (Moustakas’ modification of the Van Kaam model), twelve themes were identified that address the way this group of urban dwellers experience the built and natural environment.Aside from an in-depth understanding of the urban experience for Middle Eastern women, the findings from this study recognises and understands how minority groups/migrants experience urban settings presenting possible ways planning disciplines could better respond to the needs and expectations of these urban dwellers. The research findings presented in this study contribute to planning involving Middle Eastern populations in multicultural settings and show how gender, social construct, ethnic composition, religious beliefs, and lifestyle define and change the ways in which urban spaces are experienced and used by these urban dwellers. Subsequently these findings emphasize the role of urban specialists, particularly urban planners, in design and production of inclusive urban spaces that are suitable for use by multicultural groups and provide the possibility of intercultural dialogue. For example, inclusive spatial production of urban spaces considers Muslim women and their cultural-religious beliefs in the production of more woman-friendly spaces. This study suggests that the more people encounter and are exposed to other cultures and ethnicities, the more the democratic aspect of ‘public’ is demonstrated.The findings in this study also suggest that by recognising the needs of ethnic groups/minorities in the social construct of multicultural cities, public spaces could have more harmony and features that help promote Brisbane and the Greater Brisbane region as world-class. These features include neighbourhoods with mixed-use design, neighbourhoods as arenas of social life, women-only public services and facilities, planning with the aid of cultural maps, and advocating night-life activities and cultural/ethnic/religious festivals. Planning for such spaces on a neighbourhood and city scale produces places that help women create meaning out of their everyday urban lives and helps them adapt to their new cultural and social setting in Australian cities.Shopping centres, local and regional parks, and well-maintained sidewalks are some examples of these meaningful places. Diverse night-life, well-lit routes, local public recreational facilities, and walkable shopping streets are some examples of cultural and environmental requisites that help Middle Eastern women enjoy a lifestyle better suited to their expectations and understanding of public spaces. These well-planned public spaces could help women to leave the safe haven of their homes and other private spaces in order to blend in or connect with the new society of their host country. This process of assimilation can gradually change their ‘host country’ into their new ‘home country’ by making memories, history, and attachment associated with everyday places of their life. Spatial production of inclusive urban spaces could be the key factor in providing all groups of urban dwellers with different ethnicities, backgrounds, values and beliefs, with equal opportunity to assert their right to the city.