The Militarization of Urban The Militarization of Urban SpaceSpace

““Fortress LA”Fortress LA”

By Mike DavisBy Mike Davis

The Making of The Making of Urban Public SpaceUrban Public Space

For many urban residents, public space is something that For many urban residents, public space is something that we inhabit every day, but we tend not to think too much we inhabit every day, but we tend not to think too much about it.    about it.    

We take for granted that cities have parks, sidewalks, We take for granted that cities have parks, sidewalks, libraries, schools, governmental buildings and recreation libraries, schools, governmental buildings and recreation facilities.  facilities.  

And we take for granted that we can gain access to these And we take for granted that we can gain access to these places free of charge and without special privileges such places free of charge and without special privileges such as membership.  as membership. 

This kind of space is called public space, because it is for This kind of space is called public space, because it is for public use.  public use. 

Liberal vs. Post-Liberal View of Liberal vs. Post-Liberal View of Public SpacePublic Space

Liberal ViewLiberal View– Spaces of Tranquility and Mixed UseSpaces of Tranquility and Mixed Use

Fredereck Olmsted - Designed public landscapes and parks to Fredereck Olmsted - Designed public landscapes and parks to be “natural” so that they would contrast with crowded urban be “natural” so that they would contrast with crowded urban environment, which he viewed as unhealthy. Parks should environment, which he viewed as unhealthy. Parks should have different kinds of spaces (fields, walks and paths that flow have different kinds of spaces (fields, walks and paths that flow through the landscape, etc.). These spaces would encourage through the landscape, etc.). These spaces would encourage tranquility for those who use the park. tranquility for those who use the park.

– Democratic Spaces - Public landscapes and parks as safety valves Democratic Spaces - Public landscapes and parks as safety valves for social discontent (areas of mixed racial and mixed class for social discontent (areas of mixed racial and mixed class recreation and pleasure).recreation and pleasure).

Post-Liberal ViewPost-Liberal View

– Public space should be converted into (semi) private, corporate-Public space should be converted into (semi) private, corporate-dominated space for commerce, business and tourism.dominated space for commerce, business and tourism.

– ““Safety” is the key concernSafety” is the key concern

Privatization of Public SpacePrivatization of Public Space

– Unable to pay for parks and other public facilities, cities now allow Unable to pay for parks and other public facilities, cities now allow for for private stewardshipprivate stewardship..

– Malls and exclusive residential enclaves are now replacing parks, Malls and exclusive residential enclaves are now replacing parks, recreation centers and public squares.   recreation centers and public squares.   

– Access is reduced because public stewardship is replaced by Access is reduced because public stewardship is replaced by private stewardship (malls are not exactly public).private stewardship (malls are not exactly public). ““Less desirables” are kept out by making the park “attractive.”Less desirables” are kept out by making the park “attractive.” BIDs - parks integrated into Business Improvement Districts.BIDs - parks integrated into Business Improvement Districts. Control, accountability and vision for public space in the hands Control, accountability and vision for public space in the hands

of corporate donors and patrons.of corporate donors and patrons.

Militarization of SpaceMilitarization of Space

Democratization of public space reversed since Democratization of public space reversed since 1980s1980s

Fear of dangerous “other” has caused parks to be Fear of dangerous “other” has caused parks to be fenced in and closed at night. fenced in and closed at night.

According to geographer Sharon Zukin, public According to geographer Sharon Zukin, public space is now “too dangerous for public culture.”space is now “too dangerous for public culture.”

More policing, less freedomMore policing, less freedom

Costs of MilitarizationCosts of Militarization

What happens when public space is militarized?What happens when public space is militarized?– Middle-class favored as proper park patrons. Middle-class favored as proper park patrons. – Park aesthetics designed for “normal” peoplePark aesthetics designed for “normal” people– Corporations (untaxed) control public space.Corporations (untaxed) control public space.

Private security forces control what happens in these spaces?Private security forces control what happens in these spaces?

– ““Undesirables” kept out or exploited (homeless).Undesirables” kept out or exploited (homeless).– Commercial space substituted for truly public space.Commercial space substituted for truly public space.

Sequestering the PoorSequestering the Poor

Removing the homeless from public view.Removing the homeless from public view. Eliminating toilets, park benches and other public facilities.Eliminating toilets, park benches and other public facilities. Heavy policing of poor neighborhoods.Heavy policing of poor neighborhoods.

– ““Security” but loss of freedom.Security” but loss of freedom. Containment of poor in certain areas.Containment of poor in certain areas.

– Elimination of public transportation, blocking off of streets and other Elimination of public transportation, blocking off of streets and other measures designed to isolate poor and homeless in areas far away measures designed to isolate poor and homeless in areas far away from affluent city centers.from affluent city centers.

New York City – Stop and FriskNew York City – Stop and Frisk

97,296 in 200297,296 in 2002 531,159 in 2008531,159 in 2008 10% result in any 10% result in any

fine or arrestfine or arrest Disproportionately Disproportionately

black and Latinoblack and Latino Information put into Information put into

a databasea database

Securing the RichSecuring the Rich

High security design in architecture.High security design in architecture.– Malls, libraries and high rise buildings are Malls, libraries and high rise buildings are

guarded, surveilled, etc.guarded, surveilled, etc.

““Fortress enclaves” for the rich.Fortress enclaves” for the rich.– Private security forces, high tech security, Private security forces, high tech security,

fortress architecture fortifies the high-tech fortress architecture fortifies the high-tech castles of the rich.castles of the rich.

Security by DesignSecurity by Design

Goldwyn Branch Library in Hollywood

Tompkins Square ParkTompkins Square Park

Gate-lined Gate-lined walkwayswalkways

CurfewCurfew Semi-public eventsSemi-public events