Changing Spaces: Locating Public Space at the Intersection of the Physical and Digital

Abstract

AbstractIt is widely held that the introduction of information communication technologies (ICTs) has resulted in significant changes to the organisation of cities, public spaces and everyday social life. Despite this, the extent and nature of these changes is something that is less than well established. This paper argues that conceptions of space and time have been radically altered by the new forms of accessibility and connectivity that are afforded by ICTs; in particular, wireless technologies, which continue to blur the boundaries between the public and private spaces of the city. The contemporary urban public spatial realm is neither physical nor digital, but an intricate and relational combination of the two. There is a need for a (re)conceptualisation of public space in light of this interconnection. Concepts such as ‘hybrid’ space might have been useful to some extent, but a fluid, less dualistic, more abstract mental image of public spaces is now required. The paper concludes that future research of urban public spaces must be situated in‐between the physical and digital and necessarily extend its scope beyond the traditional theoretical and methodological boundaries of the geographical discipline.