Actor-relations matter: The impact of central actors on public space management

Public spaces are important features of urban areas, yet many of them, especially those that are located in densely built-up and highly populated areas, have issues with over-consumption and use conflict. Moreover, as public spaces are increasingly provided and/or managed by private entities, issues of control and exclusion arise. Such problems require proper management to ensure the functionality of existing public spaces. Previous research reveals that involved actors and the network structure that emerges from their interaction affect the way public spaces are managed. However, which actors get involved and how their network is formed and managed can depend on central actors as they select appropriate actors and influence their interactions. Prevailing power imbalances among stakeholders can negatively affect public space management, leading to injustice when the interests of a marginalized population are less presented. By using several sources of data and mixed methods (i.e., multiple-case-study approach, content analysis, social network analysis and comparative analysis) the research aims to examine whether there are central actors in public space management, who they are, and how different types of central actor influence the actor network structure and, thus, public space management.

This research project is funded from 2025 to 2028 by the German Research Foundation (DFG).

Related publications

Lee, D. (2023). Actors, the actor network and their impact on public space management: Social network analysis as a method. Spatial Research and Planning 81(4), 373-387. DOI: 10.14512/rur.683