Public Spaces.

I've been noticing, watching, observing ,figuring and thinking.
Public spaces creates society and culture. Or the lack of it.

Romans, Greeks, Mughals, Incas, Egyptians etc had this maddening faith in them. The private quarters were tiny, dark, and minimalist in a rustic way. Unless one considers the bathing quarters and the hookah-smoking qaurters or something of the royals and the nobles. The ordinary man's little four walled unit of those times, come to think of it, reflects less of a personal lifestyle of a soul, that a jail cell of today!
All signs of Grandiose and exchange...social, educational, cultural and/or economic...was in the public places. Of course, the fact that kings and queens paid from public money for public utility is one explanation. Thing is, all expression, development and progress; of a society, a person and of an economy.... was a result of a public activity.

So it continued. Because then there was the Globe Theatre, Hyde Park, piazzas, cathedrals, art galleries, museums, river side walks.... etc etc etc. There was, once, an urban generation who made a home of the nearest bar,  favorite coffee shop, darling book shop, jogging track, park bench...etc.

Libraries, squares, places of worship, museums, stadiums.... so much fun, no?
Isnt it great to just meet a friend at a place that is halfway, and then walk along.... discovering this and that, stopping here and there.

We used to have this culture. At least while I was growing up. We were never too far away from a library, or a cinema hall, or a concert hall, or a place to walk in or play a sport at. We used to be at home in a public space.

Older cities still have this.

Of late, we dont seem to want public spaces.
We like to convert our private spaces, to a private public space. Thus, we buy fancy home theatre systems. We buy expensive garden furniture. We like to throw "House Parties", that have more status than going to a club, at times. We like our gym equipment in our bedroom. Or have a gym equipment room. We would rather have a car, than taking a bus sometime. Not always.... just sometimes. Surprising how so many people in so many cities can afford to have a swimming pool in their backyard... like Dubai. I thought one had to be VERY rich to have something like that!!


There is a small, but strong section of society who can buy, and convert their private homes into things that would have been a public space activity.
I dont blame them. Given the amount of pollution, noise, traffic etc...and the number of people doing their thing, private spaces offer more peace and respite.


Going out is, sadly, expensive. And Noisy. And Annoying.  In only some cities and towns, will you have a running track and a park bench for free. Or a parking lot to play cricket at. Or a place to just meet at, and not have pay, or do anything...to be a part of. To sit, have a conversation, read a book, or breathe in the sunshine.... without having to make a do of it, and pay a bomb for it.

The competitive strain in real estate and business and all of that, is of course, something to be taken into consideration very seriously. Also, it is only after paying, does one have a right to demand, express ownership, and take responsibility....for the cleanliness of a park, the sanctity of a library, or the silence in a concert hall.

Which makes me realize, with a lot of sadness, that somewhere, people had forgotten how to use and utilize a public space. That there is a decorum to be maintained.That a public place, is not for the homeless or the masses. I miss public spaces, and that it was once, a birthright.

Wait, we have the malls. Free, clean and entertaining. Right. Gah.