Insurgent city: Strategies of urban collectives and public life

Abstract

This article presents two experiences that currently permeate the space of cities. The first is represented by the wall as a metaphor for the growing segmentation of the urban fabric which has as one consequence the creation of autonomous territories in the city. The second experience is based on the mobilization of urban collectives that, through critical interventions in public spaces, confront the authoritative projects which result in the very subtraction of public life. Some authors refer to this crisis of otherness and abandonment of public open space as an urban militarization, which is characterized by permanent combat against intangible threats and growing investment in security apparatuses. As a counterpoint to this scenario, the analysis of recent actions of urban collectives (artists and activists) can shed light on issues about the public space and sociability and their positive aspects for sociability. As a background, it is expected that the analysis can contribute to building a critical apparatus in the field of urban disciplines able to point out positive alternatives for life in cities.

Keywords: public space, militarization of urban life, urban collectives.