Contesting Territories: The significance of the Plein to the power contests between the Dutch government and the people

The thesis is going to unravel, in a spatial sense, the relationship between public space and the power in the Netherlands through the case of the Plein since the 1980s till now. By the analysis on the previous discussions and disputes over the design and use of the Plein, it aims to indicate the priorities of the government and the public in...

The Politics of a Public Space: Taksim Square: An Exploration of How State Politics and Ideology Shape the Evolution of Urban Environments

The conservation of place-based memory is pivotal for both tangible and intangible heritage; however, the unyielding momentum of urban dynamics frequently propels cities into transformation, often overlooking the integration and assessment of personal and collective memories within urban preservation efforts. This investigation is propelled by...

From Memorial Space to Place of Public: Increasing spatial vitality of memorials in Europe after World War II

After World War II, memorial architecture has changed from focusing on heroes and patriotism to mourning those who died in wars and disasters. Instead of only serving as reminders of pain or symbols of commemoration, in recent years some European memorials actually contribute to the liveliness of urban public space and find their new roles to...