CHALLENGES OF ACCESSIBILITY FOR MARGINAL PEOPLE IN PRIVATELY OPERATED PUBLIC SPACE: LINEAR PARK, KHULNA AS A CASE

Abstract

Apart from economic and environmental significance, public spaces have been argued to be one of the most important integrants of urban life for their social role. Nonetheless, a large number of public spaces in different contexts do not promote heterogeneity and lack in publicness. The exclusion of the marginal people from using public space has become a rising issue. However, built environmental design and management play significant roles in contributing to this exclusionary nature in state-owned but privately operated public spaces. To assess the extent and depth of exclusion, this study initially investigates the user condition of the park, who comes to the park, the number of visitors, and above all, the presence of marginal people. Later, with the indicators of accessibility, the study explores the shortcomings of design and management aspects, which are responsible for exclusion. This qualitative research employs a case study approach and uses observation and interview methods in the urban context of Bangladesh. Empirical data is collected from Linear Park in Khulna, a recently developed riverfront park by Khulna City Corporation (KCC) which is leased to a private organization. Findings from this study reveal that different roles of both public and private bodies are responsible for diminishing publicness in both development and use phases. Accordingly, design and management considerations for such urban parks need to be revised to ensure the public space is more comprehensive and inclusive to serve the diverse groups of people.