Agonistic temporary space - reflections on 'agonistic space' across participatory design and urban temporary use

Abstract

Recent discussions in Participatory Design around infrastructuring and particularly 'agonistic space' offer useful concepts relevant to other fields facing similar issues regarding public settings and related conflicts and contestation among stakeholders. In this paper, 'agonistic space' is used as a conceptual lens to discuss overlapping issues across participatory design and 'temporary use' of space, which is an emerging approach in architecture/planning addressing urban change and land use. This paper focuses in particular on the socio-spatial struggles characterizing 'expanded PD' and temporary use. Furthermore, concepts and issues within discourses and practices of temporary use are identified, which can further expand PD discussions of 'agonistic space'. The paper thus identifies connections between the two practices, which can be a basis for future further research.