Public-Private Transformations CE Nita 4039874

Public / private transformations in present societies author: Cristian

Nitaa, supervisor: ir. Herman Vande Putte b

During the last century societies have been familiar with a clear demarcation between private and public space (Sennett 1977), however in present days, under the influence of various socio – politic factors, one is able to notice a change in the perception between these two and the creation of new types of spaces and realms. This paper is meant to explore some of these spaces that are forming at the edge of the private and the public realm, by describing and trying to explain their existence. In order to provide a more complete picture of this phenomenon, the subject is presented from both sides, the expressions of private space in the public realm (the blurring effect) and, vice-versa, the influence of public realm in the private space (the trespassing effect ). ). Special attention would be paid to the role of

the corporations, or other private entities, that have on the formation of these new spaces. Keywords: corporations, urban space, public and private realm, real estate. This paper is made under the theme “Corporations and cities” of the Real Estate Management master course of the TU Delft’s Faculty of Architecture, and is built upon the Corporations and Cities Colloquium , which took place in Brussels 26 – 28 May 2008. a

MSc student at the departments of Real Estate and Housing + Urbanism, Faculty of Architecture, TU Delft (student no. 4039874); b

Assistant professor at the department of Real Estate and Housing, Faculty of Architecture , TU Delft. Delft, January 2011

Introduction Under the tile Corporations and Cities Colloquium, professionals

Definitions

and academia from the real estate and the architecture fields,

One of the fundamental documents in defining the modern

met for three days in Brussels between 26 and 28 May 2008, to

notions of private and public space stays in the 18

discuss the influence of the private corporations over the pre-

French document The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the

sent day cities. This international colloquium attracted not only

Citizen . Made in Paris during the French Revolution, la Déclara-

developers, students and professors from the architecture and

tion, established legal rights of property for the first time and

urbanism world, but also public authorities, sociologists, and

included a definition of the private domain (Avermaete, Havik et

other professionals interested in the subject. The colloquium

al. 2009, pg. 25). This definition introduces three essential ele-

was meant to be an interactive event and invited the audience

ments in describing the private domain that, in analogy, can

to put questions and reflect on the subjects presented. In addi-

describe as well the public domain as we understand it nowa-

tion to this, during the program a couple of debates on specific

days. These elements are: (i) ownership - the public domain is

presentations were organized between various professionals in

under the possession and management of the government and

order to offer more depth into the subject.

the public sector, (ii) accessibility accessibility - the public domain is accessi-

This paper is mainly built on John Worthington’s presentation Blurred Boundaries , which took place during the colloquium. John Worthington is a visiting professor at the Sheffield and Chalmers Universities and co – founder of DEGW London. His

th

century

ble to all at every moment of the day, and (iii) purpose purpose - public spaces serves a collective purpose in opposition to a house which serves the interests of an individual or a private body (Avermaete, Havik et al. 2009, pg. 25 - 26).

presentation focuses on the “impact of corporate expectations

Under this definition, one can consider that many European

on the public domain” and describes how, under the influence

nations, in the period after the Second World War were more

of the modern technologies, improved transportation connec-

‘public’ oriented, because they were readier than ever to em-

tions and other major changes from the last decade, new types

brace more socialistic and equalitarian ideals. And this hap-

of spaces started to appear at the limit between the public and

pened not only to strengthen the necessary reconstruction ef-

the private realms (Worthigton 2008).

fort, but also to respond to the social horrors of the previous

The paper does not explore the subject extensively; however it

century.

does hope that it will spark the interest for more research and

During the 19th and the beginning of the 20 th century, in most of

study of the phenomena in the n ear future.

the societies affected by the industrial revolution, few enjoyed good life conditions. UK can presents a good case in this re-

© MSc student Cristian Nita – 4039874 For more information or permission to replicate the information and data please contact at [email protected]

Page 2 Public / private transformations in present societies

30.01.2011

gards, as being one of the countries that started the industrial

(Sennett 1977, pg. 29) 2. Losing the ability of “playacting”, as

revolution and which rapidly urbanized country folks, in slum

Sennett describes it (idem), and finding no proper vocabulary to

conditions, to provide cheap labour for the new factories (Hall

express one’s feelings, the present individuals are more and

1996, pg. 2 and on). Prostitution, child labour, cholera out-

more ready to judge social life in terms of personal feeling

breaks and other life’s misery examples inspired and horrified

(idem, pg. 5). So it is that the public sphere is no longer free of

1

authors alike (idem). This called for more substantial support

emotional and it is no longer formal and after more than thirty

from the late Victorian authorities which until 1884, when the

years, since Richard Sennett wrote his book, one sees this pro-

Royal Commission on the Housing of the Working Classes was

cess even more clearly.

formed, did little to the alleviation of the living conditions (Hall 1996, pg. 16) and this is how the path was laid for a more social oriented government, that had to crystalize after 1949 with the end of the Second World War.

In their book Experience Economy Pine & Gilmore describes how companies nowadays are offering to clients individualised “experiences” instead of simple services or products (Pine II and Gilmore 1999) 3. So we are not dealing with a general public

But exactly this new form of state, that is more social and ‘pub-

sphere that we all can relate to, like in the 18

th

and the 19

th

lic’, is what Richard Sennett argues against. In his trilogy of century when the ‘public man’ lived, but it become more cusbooks that starts with the Fall of the public man in 1967 (Sennett

tomizable, more personal and more private. The decline of the

1977), he describes the changes in the perception of the public

public sphere is associated with a strong tendency towards

and private realm between the 19

th

th

and 20

century societies.

individualisation and narcissism, writes Avermaete in Architec-

He compares this “nanny state” (Huw and Imrie 1996, pg. 56)

tural Positions citing Christopher Lasch (Avermaete, Havik et al.

condition with the Roman Empire decline (Sennett 1977, pg. 3).

2009, pg. 44). He continues stating that, in Richard Sennett’s

He writes: “as the Augustan Age faded, Romans began to treat

view, the final stage of such a narcissistic culture is when the

their public lives […] more and more in a passive spirit, conform-

public lost its objective character (idem).

ing to the rules of the res republica , but investing less and less passion […]; so that the Roman’s public life become bloodless and he sought, in private, a new focus for his emotional energies, a new principle of commitment and belief” (idem). These new ‘principles”, already started to pertain the society of the agonising empire, through the affirmation of the new religious sects that started to feel their presence more and more in the public life (idem). His message is clear: the know yourself mantra, preached by religion and psychologists alike, proved to be a trap rather than a liberation (idem, pg. 8) because it interiorised individuals to the detriment of the public life. Having a “more privatized psyche”, that is “less stimulated”, makes “more difficult for us to feel or to express feelings” (idem, pg. 4).

And this seems to be confirmed nowadays as even the public television channels are broadcasting more and more “reality TV shows”, in which the private life of people is presented, objectively to the last intimate details, to millions and millions of viewers around the world. Shows such as the MTV’s The Os- bournes - featuring the domestic life of the rock star Ozzy Osbourne in his own home (Wikipedia 2011); Big Brother - featuring the life of a group of individuals that live together in a house isolated from the outside world but continuously monitored by cameras, including at the bathroom (Wikipedia 2011); Jackass - featuring people performing various “dangerous, crude, ridiculous, and self-injuring stunts and pranks” (Wikipedia 2011); and many others like: American Idol, Hogan Knows Best, Hell’s Kitch- en, etc. Of course, one might argue that the booming of this

‘Public vs. Private’

genre is because it’s financially very profitable 4, but is it not

Blurring boundaries

indicating, first of all, the blurring effect (Worthigton 2008) be-

And, paradoxically, even if the “nanny state” is more equalitarian

tween what is private and what is public realm?

and public-space oriented, what it seems it lost is the “public– life” itself, it lost the civility t hat accompanies the public relations 2

Richard Sennett writes: “playacting in the form of manners, conventions, and ritual gestures is the very stuff out of which public relations are formed” Sennett 1977, pg. 29). 3 Interesting to point out, is that this sort of perspective describes the sort of 1 A pertinent accounting of the living conditions of the poor during the late concept that Rudy Stroink is offering to his clients: custom-made “environVictorian age is that of the clergy man Andrew Mearns who’s Bitter Cry of ments” instead of generic products (Stroink 2008). 4 Writers for reality television do not receive union pay-scale compensation the Outcast London caused such a sensation that determined all the main newspapers of the time, including Queen Victoria herself, to call for a solu- and union representation, which significantly decreases expenditures for tion to the problem of social housing, in particular for the working classes. producers and broadcasters, likewise broadcasting costs are eliminated as This is how the Royal Commission on the Housing of the Working Classes television companies themselves are producing the shows, and not specialwas started in 1884, (Hall 1996 pg. 16). ized companies such as MGM or 20th Century Fox (Wikipedia 2011).



30.01.2011

Trespassing limits

What is even more interesting is the intentional assimilation

A similar transition between the realms, but this time in re-

between a corporation, or an organization, and the idea of the

versed, from public to private, is explained by John Worthington

city.

in his presentation at the Corporations and Cities. John Worthington states that in the present, post-modern, city new types of spaces between public and private realms started to appear (Worthigton 2008). He describes (i) the semi-public space – which is ‘functionalised’, branded, homogenous and themed; and, (ii) the privileged space – which is discrete, branded, selective and controlled (idem). A semi-public space can be the lobby of an hotel, the premises of an airport, the common atrium of an office building and in general places where the free access is granted to the general public but not all the time and under more restrictions than in the case of the public space. A privileged space is an internet café, a museum, a disco club, and

The TU Delft’s Faculty of Architecture calls itself the BK City – from ‘bouwkunde’, which means ‘architecture’ in Dutch. The school has a main hallway at the ground floor that unites all the different spaces of the buildings just like a main street would unite the principle focus areas in a city. The facilities located on this hallway, and which offers copying, information, stationary materials, etc, are called shops and are advertised with neon signs, reminiscent of Las Vega’s image (in the light of the recent higher education budget cuts and worsening financial and political situation in Netherlands, is this a hint for an ‘education show’ instead of a real university education?).

other places where the access is restricted function to certain

Wim Tambeur mentions, in his presentation about University

criteria like paying an entrance fee or having an appropriate

Hospitals Leuven, that the new campus wants to be more of a

dress code (Worthigton 2008).

city translation, with areas that have defined function mixes and

Judging these new hybrid spaces in the light of the Declaration

connection roads (Tambeur 2008).

of the Rights of Man and the Citizen definition of the public

Likewise, the International Art Campus deSingel , from Antwerp,

space (Avermaete, Havik et al. 2009, pg. 25) one cannot declare

that reunites under the same roof different arts is recently

for sure if these are public or private spaces under any of the

branded, since October 2010, deSingel Art City (deSingel 2010).

three key elements: ownership , accessibility , or purpose. Howev-

This re-birth’ took place together with the inauguration of the

er, considering the fact that both spaces are branded, and selec-

new wing of the building. On the official site of the organisation,

tive - homogenous indicates a type of selectiveness, one can say

the entire complex is described, though “straightforward”, “it

that these spaces are closer to the private corporate realm than

conceals many unexpected places that make up for a hotbed of

to the public one. In this way Worthington’s examples are a

creativity” (idem).

transition from ‘pure’ public to private space, and as private spaces are defined as area restricted, one can call this phenom-

Simply marketing or a general trend

ena as trespassing.

What stays behind these associations between the corporations and the ideas of the cities? Is it just a marketing tool to lure the

Various examples stays testimony of this trespassing and many

general public or is it part of a more complex process that was

more are currently under transformation. The Zuidas in the

intuited by Richard Sennett but which results we are only able to

south of Amsterdam, is a large office and residential develop-

see now?

ment project, that aims at providing public amenities and facilities at the ground floor of the buildings it order to stimulate

In his presentation John Worthington states that the ‘city is the

public life and increase the liveability of the area (de Bruijn

office’ (Worthigton 2008). Augmented by the improved virtual

2008) . Likewise La Défense in Paris and the Canary Warf in

and physical connections, corporations have nowadays multiple

London are looking for this ‘permeability’ of the public space

locations function the specific needs of each department of sub-

between the building and in the buildings’ ground floor space.

organisation. Likewise, shared working spaces, working at home

5

Siim Kalaas, also admits, in his presentation at the Corporations or in non-office spaces, such as cafés, restaurants, railway staand Cities , that the European quarter in Brussels needs to be tions, and so on, extended the previous unique location of the better integrated in the city and become more lively, offering

called office to new scales inside the city and beyond. He states

public amenities and facilities to the European Union employees

that this newly networked society marks the dawn of the post-

located in Brussels and to their family members (Kallas 2008).

modern city, which is “polarised, tribalised, consumerised, privatised, specialised” (idem). The “cities of imagination”, the “city of convenience”, “city of place”, mentioned by Worthington

5

Pi de Bruijn the master planner of the area admits that though this concept is good and desirable both by planners and users alike, the project is hard to be realised, as developers are mostly interested in making a profit and not a functional and attractive area (de Bruijn 2008).

(idem), supports very well Pine and Gilmore’s thesis, in the way that cities, and be extension their public realm, are becoming more and more similar to the economic climate of the experi-



30.01.2011

ence economy , in which everything is customised to reflect, as

ly, these very corporations are opened to accepting more public

much as possible, what the consumers finds appropriate accord-

activities inside their premises deSingel Art City promotion is a

ing to its feelings and in that particular context (Pine II and

good example to this as it invites the public to visit and “experi-

Gilmore 1999).

ence” the new building to understand the inventive concept that

And likewise, the mentioned corporations that aspire to the image of a city, are in fact also a sort of a city, a purpose city

“takes you to places that, normally, are not publicly available” (deSingel 2010).

where everything is attuned to the mission of that respective

Are corporations relaying only on the fact that virtual infor-

corporation, but which allows its employees sufficient flexibility

mation is much easier to protect because it does not appear

and diversity in order to feel like in a real space. The ‘city cam-

obvious to the naked eye, just like files appear in a last century

pus’, the ‘architecture city’, the ‘art city’, and so on, represents a

office? Would this be reassuring enough?

corporation with a specific missions but which, strives for better connectivity to the rest of the world and better and more diversity, in support to Richard Sennett’s argument that individuals need external stimulus to know and express themselves (Sennett 1977, pg. 4).

Of course one cannot say this for sure, but nonetheless, it appears that once “office is city” (Worthigton 2008) and the mobility of the employee increased considerable in comparison to the past century, security of the information seems less threatened by the physical world, but more from the virtual world. In

We can imagine a set of Chinese balls carved one inside the

fact nobody needs to brake in an office to steel official docu-

other, a mini – city (a corporation), inside of an sub-urban area,

ments, all is needed to hack the security of a private virtual net-

inside a city, inside a regional conurbation, inside a geographical

work and download the information, just like the US embassy

region, and so on, all free to act from each other but still all

cables have been obtained apparently. In essence, the nature of

bundled together.

the threat for the present day corporations has dramatically

This is a stage in the office evolution that also Rudy Stroink

changed and needs other mechanisms to be dealt with.

points out in his presentation at the Corporations and Cities Even more, beyond the actual physical space, it seems that the Colloquium . He states that “in the nineties [like foreseeing the

individual’s own rights are affected by this transition. As these

evolution to come], new office areas expanded to the edge of

private premises are becoming more public, they also seem to

the cities, connected to the freeway, disconnected from the

become more intensely monitored by CCTV ( Close Circuit Tele-

actual city” (Stroink 2008). But not disconnected, in the sense

vision ) systems. In fact, the real buildings’ space might become

that the new offices have no transportation connections to the

freer to be accessed, but what one can do in this space is re-

cities, but in the fact that they seem wanting to have an identity

stricted, and so the individual’s freedom begins to be more and

on its own, independent of that of the city.

more impaired, however, carefully orchestrated not to appear

Zuidas and La Défense portray this fact very well. They both have an image of their own, branded, relatively homogenous, functional, but even if they are at the periphery of the city they are connected by various means of transportation (metros, tramways, bicycle lanes, and so on) to the rest of the city, from where they originated and they depend on. This would support the statement made in Worthington presentation that cities are both “central and disperse” (Worthigton 2008). So, to return to the title of this subchapter, one can conclude that the comparison of corporations to cities is not only marketing, but it underlies the changes in the nature of the company and the way it perceives the environment that it surrounds it.

obvious. Cameras and CCTV systems appear to be everywhere nowadays, on the street, in the market, even in public transport systems, making one wonder how public it is. The “public man’s” true fall is not in the disappearance of the public space, like parks, squares, markets – the ‘pure’ public spaces, but in the disappearance of ‘freedom’ as we understand it nowadays. Perhaps what happened is that in general, societies traded physical space on, only, the impression of freedom. And keeping in the same lines that Sennett draws, again due to the popularisation of the similar video recording technology, one notices also the individual’s perception about what is private and what is public. Most of the mobile phones nowadays are equipped with mini cameras that can take images anytime anywhere, and be posted on the internet instantaneously or in

Final reflections

‘real-time’ to the reach the general audience. And this is not a

But how one can understand the trespassing effect under the

question of ethics anymore, but a question of what one believes

issues security and privacy? The very existence of a private cor-

is good or bad or according to one’s life style. There is no h igher

poration assumes that valuable resources, people and data,

moral forum that can judge these acts, like an eighteen century

need to be protected from the exterior threats, and paradoxical© MSc student Cristian Nita – 4039874 For more information or permission to replicate the information and data please contact at [email protected]


30.01.2011

Victorian society, but just a handful of people who are repre-

References

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Avermaete, T., K. Havik, et al. (2009). Modernity and the Public Sphere: An Everyday Triad. Architectural Positions. Amsterdam, SUN Publishers.

But perhaps even more interesting, and this is the subject of the paper hereby, one can notice that today and in the future more and more ‘hybrid’ spaces, between public and private, begun to appear. If a century ago the distinction between private and

de Bruijn, P. (2008). Amsterdam’s Zuidas: A New Urban Landscape. Corporations and cities: envisioning corporate real estate in the urban future (conference 26-28 May 2008). Brussels, Video recording of the lecture at the conference.

public was clear, today the realms begin to melt each other in various new spaces that exists under different set of rules and appeals to different people. The public spaces become more

deSingel (2010). Retrieved 01.2011, from http://www.desingelartcity.be. Hall, P. (1996). Cities of Tomorrow. London, Blackwell Publishers Ltd.

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Public-Private Transformations CE Nita 4039874

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