Saskia Sassen reflects on uses of public space and its political and social connotations

The author of the book "The Global City: New York, London, Tokyo", analyses the concept of the global street in an interview published in the Polish blog Kultura Liberalna. The sociologist highlights the difference between the classical European notion of spaces of ritual importance for public activities – a Sunday afternoon passeggiata – and uses of the street in present-day conditions. Contemporary streets and squares – always in the urban setting – have become public space where new forms of social and political activity are happening and where the powerless challenge the social and political order, engage in politics and make history.
In political terms it might be expressed as “boulevards and piazzas” versus “streets and squares”.

Related link:
Lecture by Saskia Sassen at the Centre od Contemporary Culture of Barcelona "Territory, authority, rights".