Privatization of Public Spaces and the Right to the City in the United States

Authors : Mesut KARAKOÇ, Busra SOYLEMEZ-KARAKOC

Pages : 416-432

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Publication Date : 2023-06-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Privatization of urban public spaces leads to two conflicting positions regarding the private or public rights over a place. This article discusses the problems of urban areas with regard to the privatization of public spaces and the consequent reaction of the citizens to claim their right to the city in various forms of social mobilization. This contestation between citizen and business claims over urban places is analyzed through a historical perspective that traces the development of business role in public policy making, the ways in which business influences policy making process, and their outcomes. We, then, identify three barriers that we regard the strongest in overcoming these problems: insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1); lack of inclusive mechanisms, insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2); misunderstanding of the right to the city, and insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(3); privatization of public spaces with neoliberal influences. Lastly, we discuss the role of different stakeholders, such as academics, policy makers, and citizens. The conclusion provides our assessment of this conflict and preference of urban theory schools to strengthen citizen control over urban areas.
Keywords : kentleşme, özelleştirme, kamusal alan, şehir hakkı