Transformations of Public Space Between Society and Authority: A Historical and Contemporary Applied Reading

Abstract

This research aims to analyse the transformations of public space in light of the dialectical relationship between society and power through a historical and applied reading that clarifies how the mechanisms of space production and use have changed over time. The research is based on a theoretical framework that addresses the concept of public space and the “right to the city,” with a historical tracing that includes key models such as the agora in the Greek city, the square in the Islamic city, and finally, contemporary public space. The goal is to derive indicators that reflect the nature of the relationship between society and power at each stage. The study adopted a spatial analytical approach using spatial construction analysis, focusing on local integration (R3) and indicators of connectivity and mean depth R3, to analyse the internal structure of public space in a case study: Al-Mutasrif Park in the city of Al-Kut. This was achieved by comparing the pre- and post-redevelopment states. The results indicate that the transformations in public space were not limited to formal changes but rather reflect a shift in the logic of space production, from a space supported by community practices to a space reshaped by power through design. This has led to a decrease in the flexibility of space and a weakening of its capacity to accommodate daily uses, reflecting a gradual shift in the role of society towards a stronger presence of design authority. The research concludes that contemporary public space represents an effective tool in the hands of the authorities to reorganize urban use by controlling spatial structure and directing movement, which necessitates reconsidering the mechanisms for designing public spaces to achieve a balance between regulatory requirements and the needs of society.