public space paper
Marcquitta Head
SOCI 3010 (Public Space)
April 3, 2011
Introduction Each day we may see new faces, or maybe someone we already know. And there are times when we sit down on a park bench or a restaurant outside table (on a sunny day) and observe passers by. At some point and time one may wonder exactly what is public space. Could it be an open space for the public to shop, eat, socialize, or lounge? Or is the definition of space more complex? Well according our reader, public space includes all areas that are open to the public in a society. I took it upon myself, and with the help of Dr. Holland, to observe certain places, three to be exact, to check out the behavior of different people in different settings. I also observed how people reacted to those who acted outside of the social norm. In the following paragraphs, I will describe my observations, and decide on a theoretical analysis, as well as to why I feel the theoretical analysis fits my place of observation.
Underground Atlanta My first place of observation was at The Underground. Before I go in depth with my observations, I would like to inform you on the history of Underground Atlanta. In 1836, a rail line was created to connect the farming and cotton states to markets from Atlanta to Chattanooga (http://www.underground-atlanta.com/about-us/history-of-underground.html). After the Civil War in 1866, the only thing that was left was ashes and burned down homes. During the 1920’s, concrete viaducts were created to regulate the flow of traffic. Eventually, the lower level was utilized by merchants. Underground Atlanta was also a part of the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960’s. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led many non-violent marches across the bridge fighting for equal opportunity for blacks. He also fought for the desegregation of schools, restaurants, as well as the right to sit wherever we wanted to on buses. When Dr. King was assassinated in 1968, the funeral procession from his
SOCI 3010 (Public Space)
April 3, 2011
Introduction Each day we may see new faces, or maybe someone we already know. And there are times when we sit down on a park bench or a restaurant outside table (on a sunny day) and observe passers by. At some point and time one may wonder exactly what is public space. Could it be an open space for the public to shop, eat, socialize, or lounge? Or is the definition of space more complex? Well according our reader, public space includes all areas that are open to the public in a society. I took it upon myself, and with the help of Dr. Holland, to observe certain places, three to be exact, to check out the behavior of different people in different settings. I also observed how people reacted to those who acted outside of the social norm. In the following paragraphs, I will describe my observations, and decide on a theoretical analysis, as well as to why I feel the theoretical analysis fits my place of observation.
Underground Atlanta My first place of observation was at The Underground. Before I go in depth with my observations, I would like to inform you on the history of Underground Atlanta. In 1836, a rail line was created to connect the farming and cotton states to markets from Atlanta to Chattanooga (http://www.underground-atlanta.com/about-us/history-of-underground.html). After the Civil War in 1866, the only thing that was left was ashes and burned down homes. During the 1920’s, concrete viaducts were created to regulate the flow of traffic. Eventually, the lower level was utilized by merchants. Underground Atlanta was also a part of the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960’s. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led many non-violent marches across the bridge fighting for equal opportunity for blacks. He also fought for the desegregation of schools, restaurants, as well as the right to sit wherever we wanted to on buses. When Dr. King was assassinated in 1968, the funeral procession from his