Designing multiple urban space: an actor-network theory analysis on multiplicity and stability of public space

Abstract

This paper suggests an empirical tool to examine the multiple and ever-changing aspects of public space. As an overarching theoretical framework, Actor-Network Theory was applied to identify the different ways of generating multiple user activities in a single built environment. Data on user behaviour were gathered by observations, short interviews and questionnaires from Fortune Street Park and Kingston Ancient Market Place, both in London. The empirical process recognized the constant but discursive performance of public space through the multiple activity networks, and verified that the public spaces have different network strategies to be stabilized according to their own urban context.