Privatization of Public Spaces and the Right to the City in the United States

Öz

Privatization of urban public spaces leads to two conflicting positions regarding the private or public rights over a place. This article discusses the problems of urban areas with regard to the privatization of public spaces and the consequent reaction of the citizens to claim their right to the city in various forms of social mobilization. This contestation between citizen and business claims over urban places is analyzed through a historical perspective that traces the development of business role in public policy making, the ways in which business influences policy making process, and their outcomes. We, then, identify three barriers that we regard the strongest in overcoming these problems: (1) lack of inclusive mechanisms, (2) misunderstanding of the right to the city, and (3) privatization of public spaces with neoliberal influences. Lastly, we discuss the role of different stakeholders, such as academics, policy makers, and citizens. The conclusion provides our assessment of this conflict and preference of urban theory schools to strengthen citizen control over urban areas.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• urban
• privatization
• public spaces
• the right to the city

Amerika Birleşik Devletleri’nde Kamusal Alanların Özelleştirilmesi ve Şehir Hakkı

Öz

Kentsel kamusal alanların özelleştirilmesi, bu alanlar üzerindeki özel veya kamusal olmak üzere iki farklı hak iddiasına yol açmaktadır. Bu makale, kentlerdeki kamusal alanların özelleştirilmesi ile ilgili ortaya çıkan sorunları ve bunun sonucunda vatandaşların çeşitli toplumsal hareket yöntemleriyle şehir haklarını talep etme konusundaki tepkilerini tartışmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, vatandaş ve özel sektörün kentsel alanlar üzerindeki iddiaları arasındaki çekişme, kamu politikası yapımında özel sektörün rolünün gelişimini, sermayenin politika oluşturma sürecini etkileme yollarını ve bunların sonuçlarını izleyen tarihsel bir perspektif aracılığıyla analiz edilmektedir. Bu makale, bu sorunların aşılmasının önündeki en belirgin bu üç engelin (1) kapsayıcı mekanizmaların olmaması, (2) şehir hakkının yanlış anlaşılması ve (3) neoliberal etkilerle kamusal alanların özelleştirilmesi olduğu sonucuna varmıştır. Ek olarak, bu sorunların giderilmesi konusunda, akademisyenler, politika yapıcılar ve vatandaşlar gibi farklı paydaşların rolü tartışılmıştır. Bu çatışmaya ilişkin değerlendirme sonucunda, kentsel alanlar üzerindeki vatandaş kontrolünü güçlendirmek için kent kuramları üzerine çalışan ekollerin tercihlerine önem verilmesine ulaşılmıştır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• kentleşme
• özelleştirme
• kamusal alan
• şehir hakkı

Kaynakça

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