In search of public domain, Analysis and strategy
Maarten Hajer, Arnold Reijndorp
NAi-Publishers, Rotterdam, 2001
ISBN 90-5662-201-3
ISBN 90-5662-200-5 (Dutch edition)
In search of new public domain is a report of an intensive quest to establish the preconditions for the design of new public spaces. On the basis of an analysis of the cultural geography of the network city, the authors develop a new perspective of cultural exchange as a typical urban quality. They are critical of the laments about the decline of the city and public space, as much as of a naive faith in architecture and urbanism as saving graces. A critical investigation of the new collective spaces that are popping up across the whole of the urban field offers an insight into the factors that facilitate the development of new public domain. Through their clarification of the theoretical background and analysis of topical issues such as public safety and social segregation, the authors offer insights and instruments for policy-makers and designers who are confronted with the new task of the design of public domain in the network city.
Maarten Hajer is an urban planner and political scientist, and holds the Chair in Public Policy at the University of Amsterdam.
Arnold Reijndorp is an independent researcher on the cutting-edge of urbanism and urban culture. From 1998 to 2000 he was visiting professor in urbanism and urban sociology at the Technical University of Berlin.