Sinan Wang
New spatial public-political conflict: An interdisciplinary study on public appropriation of street furniture in the royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London, UK.

Abstract:

This study investigates and catalyzes public appropriation of street furniture in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC), examining how individuals creatively adapt urban elements to meet their needs and how speculative design can engage with such behaviors. Employing Grounded Theory (GT), it identifies two key forms of appropriation—primary and negotiated—revealing how individuals physically and conceptually reinterpret street furniture when its intended functions fail to accommodate public expectations.

Situating these findings within the historical trajectory of street furniture debates, the study traces the shift from post-war democratic ideals of inclusiveness to the spatial power imbalances intensified by neoliberal reforms. It argues that street furniture functions as a contested site, where everyday interactions reflect broader struggles between the public and institutional authorities over spatial governance.

Building upon these insights, the research develops a theoretical model that underscores both the creative agency of individuals, and the spatial inequalities embedded in urban design. The study then extends its theoretical findings into two speculative design interventions, which were curated within this context, experimentally integrating anthropological theory with action. These interventions critically examine the role of speculative design in advocating for spatial justice and democratic urban participation.

Key Words:

Street Furniture; Spatial Politic; Public Appropriation; Neo Liberalization; Public Debate; Grounded Theory; Speculative Design