The flâneur and the city: Reading the ‘new’ Belfast's leisure spaces

Abstract

This article examines Belfast's contemporary leisure spaces by making specific use of the idea of the flâneur as a social scientist. The article contains an assessment of selected representations of the city together with a detailed evaluation of the concept of the flâneur, its genesis, development and analytical value. Using the flâneur's knowledge of the city and powers of observation, the article proceeds to offer a commentary on many of Belfast's leisure activities and interests—fashion, shops and shopping, eating and drinking, public transport, sport and festivals. The article argues that the evidence adduced from flânerie demonstrates that the city not only remains deeply divided along ethno-sectarian lines but, in addition, in the wake of urban regeneration, its leisure spaces testify to the degree to which like most modern cities Belfast also suffers markedly as a consequence of economic inequality and resultant social exclusion and marginalisation.