Behind The Scenes of Managing A Public Space

I'm Aarti Mehta, a Mumbai native whose journey has been shaped by a profound love for creativity, culture, and the dynamics of urban life. Throughout my childhood, I found solace and inspiration in artistic pursuits, spending hours engrossed in painting and sketching. But my ventures beyond the canvas truly ignited my sense of wonder.  My appetite for diverse cultures was whetted during cherished outings with my grandmother, exploring parks and immersing ourselves in the enchanting simplicity of small villages in South India. My passion for exploration only deepened as I devoured television shows like 'Travel Expedia' and 'Strip the City,' which provided captivating glimpses into the inner workings of cities and offered a window into the intricate tapestry of cultures worldwide. With an innate desire to shape the world around me, I decided to pursue a degree in Architecture in the bustling heart of Mumbai. Yet, my quest for knowledge and a more profound understanding of urban environments soon drew me across the globe to the vibrant streets of New York City, where I embarked on a transformative journey pursuing a master's in Public Space Management. I wanted to ‘Strip the Public Spaces,’ I did it by researching, observing, and talking to city experts in New York City.

Every urban space has a story that shapes its character. I was curious to know what goes behind the scenes of managing public space and what factors influence the space to be what we see now. What truly fascinated me was the profound realization that between each dividing line of the sidewalks, parks, and street delineation lay a fascinating interplay of power and influence. These weren't haphazard creations; instead, they were meticulously crafted and overseen by individuals and institutions wielding tremendous sway over the very essence of these public spaces. It dawned on me that the arrangement of a simple street or plaza was far from arbitrary—it was a manifestation of deliberate choices that significantly shaped the character of these spaces we often pass by without a second thought. My odyssey was driven by the desire to demystify public space management, unveiling the concealed factors that give life to the environments we traverse daily. The challenge arises from the fact that public spaces don't fall neatly under a single defined service. Various agencies hold different authorities over what can or cannot occur in these spaces. This complexity can lead to situations where one agency identifies an issue that it cannot resolve without the support of another agency. As a result, there's often competition among regulations, enforcement, designs, and community needs when managing public spaces. Balancing these competing interests and authorities is a central challenge in the realm of public space management. The monthly series of short articles I'm releasing aims to let you in on my journey and highlight the significant role played by various individuals and tools in shaping the personality of the spaces surrounding us. With each article, we'll venture behind the curtains to explore the world of managing public spaces, unveiling the secrets that make these places what they are.