Navigating the Margins: The Interrelationship between Public Urban Open Spaces and Homelessness

Lidzhade, Phuluso Gcaca and Mphambukeli, Thulisile (2025) Navigating the Margins: The Interrelationship between Public Urban Open Spaces and Homelessness. URBAN INNOVATION: TO BOLDLY GO WHERE NO CITIES HAVE GONE BEFORE. Medium sized cities and towns as a major arena of global urbanisation. Proceedings of REAL CORP 2025, 30th Intl. Conference on Urban Development, Regional Planning and Information Society. pp. 723-729. ISSN 2521-3938

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Abstract

Open spaces, such as parks and streetscapes, play a vital role in fostering social interaction, environmental sustainability, and community well-being. However, in developing countries, these spaces are increasingly intersecting with the complex and persistent issue of homelessness. This study explores the interrelationship between public urban open spaces and homelessness, focusing on spatial, social, and policy dimensions. The study employs a mixed-method approach, combining interviews and spatial datasets. Key findings reveal that open spaces serve as vital refuges for the homeless community, providing temporary shelter and opportunities for social interaction. Scavenging and intermittent aid are crucial components of survival strategies, highlighting the pressing need for consistent support. However, these spaces have become contested sites, as seen through the implementation of anti-homeless design elements by various stakeholders, such as municipal authorities and local businesses, often to the detriment of the homeless population. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts involving governments, businesses, charitable organisations, and the community to address the multifaceted challenges faced by homeless individuals in urban spaces. It provides critical insights for urban planners, policymakers, and social advocates aiming to reconcile competing demands in public spaces, thereby contributing to more sustainable and equitable urban environments.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	homelessness, sustainable, Open space, spatial, social
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences > HM Sociology H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
Depositing User:	REAL CORP Administrator
Date Deposited:	16 May 2025 08:31
Last Modified:	16 May 2025 08:31
URI:	http://repository.corp.at/id/eprint/1155

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