This thesis deals with the regeneration of an existing public square in Pretoria, formerly known as Strijdom Square. The document considers contemporary anthropological and urban design theory of good public spaces and argues that the presence of people is the key determinant in success of public space. The hypothesis argues that public spaces should be designed to draw human activity and accommodate basic human needs and wants including comfort, security and activity. The thesis proposes breaking the fourth wall of the State Theatre through the insertion of a filter building between the theatre and the public square. The proposed design celebrates the performing arts and aims to educate the public about the arts by providing opportunity to experience the magic of the theatre in everyday life. The architecture becomes a filter on every level, allowing visual and physical connections to the theatre and aims to make the theatre more accessible to all. / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Architecture / unrestricted

NDLTD Innovative ETD Award 2005. The design of a multi-functional building entails the synthesis of multiple systems and networks. The needs of multiple clients must be effectively overlaid to create a build able, contextually suitable and aesthetically pleasing architectural solution. The proposed building is a public, urban building. City buildings consist of spaces that are essentially part of the city, simultaneously dependant on the whole and separated by building lines and security systems. The gradation of space from public to private exists everywhere. The focus of the design is on the creation of place in the Pretoria CBD. The scheme is integrated into its surroundings, and functions as a system in itself. The proposed multi-use building will be set on a currently built up site in the Pretoria CBD, on the c/o Paul Kruger and Schoeman Streets, one city block from Church Square. Building functions include retail, residential, a satellite gallery for the Tshwane Art Museum, and new offices and facilities for Talking Beads, a producer Arts and Crafts. / Dissertation (MArch (Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Architecture / unrestricted

本文將以目前台灣最大的網路新聞時事討論區──PTT Gossiping看板（以下簡稱「八卦板」）為研究對象，分析透過BBS媒介所形成的網路群眾文化，並探究其民主意涵。有別於一般網路公共領域的研究，本文將由「對抗性公共」與「狂歡節」這兩個概念切入，並借鏡俄國文學批評家Bakhtin所提出的「眾聲喧嘩」與「公共廣場」等說法，嘗試論證透過網路媒介所形成、並帶有集體性狂歡節色彩的社會互動空間，如何落實異於Habermas菁英式公共領域的公共生活想像。 就內容而言，本文可粗略區分為兩部分：首先我們將以Gossiping看板為例，從集體性的角度描繪網路群眾文化的樣貌（第二、三章），接著再進一步說明其民主意涵（第四章）。在第二章當中，我們將藉由回顧八卦板的看板歷程，說明本文所討論的八卦板「網路公眾」，在評論新聞、針砭時事的表面下，其實潛藏著某種不同於理性個人交往的社會關係形態；對於這樣的現象，我們可以暫且稱之為「網路起鬨」。在第三章，我們將透過集體亢奮與狂歡節的概念，進一步擴充網路起鬨現象的抽象意義，並嘗試說明：即便到了今天，人們透過網路媒介進行的互動，仍然表現出「非凡、例外」的強烈集體情緒；這樣的集體性，既不同於公共領域理性論辯的互動方式，亦無法簡單斥之為「非理性」的劣質文化。以此種互動關係樣態為背景，在第四章我們將著重討論帶有狂歡節特質的網路群眾文化，如何透過語言的運用，體現Bakhtin強調多元觀點的「眾聲喧嘩」概念；此種狂歡節語言，能夠跳脫代表語言中心化力量的Habermas公共領域設想，從而落實「公共廣場」概念所描繪的、強調對話而不強加共識的公共生活。最後在第五章結論當中，本文除了對全文進行簡要總結之外，並討論了「社會關係／mob-ility」、「遊戲」以及「日常生活」等等概念，嘗試為網路文化的進一步研究，提供可能的參考方向。 / Taking Taiwan’s largest internet news forum “PTT Gossiping” as research object, this thesis analyses the culture of internet crowds formed through the medium of BBS (Bulletin Board System), and explores its democratic implications. Different from existing researches of “internet public sphere”, this thesis set out its arguments by resorting to concepts of “counterpublics” and “carnival”, and concludes with the notions of “heteroglossia” and “public square”, both proposed by Russian literary critic Mikhail Bakhtin, to demonstrate how a collectively carnivalistic social space of interaction, formed by internet, can provide us with an alternative imagination of public life that is different from Habermasian (elite) public sphere. This thesis consists of two parts: firstly, it analyses the culture of internet crowds from the sociological perspective of collectivity, taking PTT Gossiping as example (Ch. 2 & Ch. 3); secondly, it elaborates the democratic implications of this culture (Ch. 4). In Ch. 2, we review the historical development of PTT Gossiping, in order to demonstrate that the “internet public” constituting this news forum shows a non-personal as well as non-rational mode of social interaction, which we can provisionally describe as “internet mobbing”. In Ch. 3, we elaborate the sociological meaning of internet mobbing, by resorting to concepts such as “collective effervescence” and “carnival”, arguing that the “extraordinary, exceptional” feature of strong collective emotions can still be observed nowadays in internet interactions. This collectivity is neither similar to rational, reasoning mode of interaction proposed by the idea of “public sphere”, nor can it be denounced simply as “irrational” or bad culture. Based on this kind of social interaction, in Ch. 4 we explore how the using of carnivalistic language by internet crowds can embody Bakhtinian heteroglossia. By emphasizing the value of multiple perspectives, the carnivalistic language use of internet crowds breaks away from Habermasian public sphere, and helps to bring about a public life depicted by Bakhtinian “public square”, encouraging dialogue rather than forcing consensus. Finally, in Ch. 5 we sum up the thesis, and discuss ideas such as “social relationship / mob-ility”, “game”, and “everyday life”, which can serve as possible directions for further studies on internet culture.

HIMA! / NOW! - translation from Armenian In light of recent and ongoing protests, demonstrations and riots in Ukraine, Egypt, Israel or Armenia, some actual questions arise such as how is the built environment used as an area of protest, how it is chosen as a focal point or path for resistance, what are the common characteristics of revolutionary spaces and how the environment effects on success. Lack of democracy from the government and in everyday life of Armenia society, total corruption and feeling of impunity oligarchy, the government and most of governmental institutions, weak economic growth accompanied by alarming number of emigration as well as successful scenarios in neighboring Georgia and Ukraine, force to predict a inescapable eruption of protests Armenia in near future. History shows that protests and civil disobedience are inevitable and necessary expressions of dissent in any democratic nation and country. However there are different passive tools to improve democratic institutions in the society and country in general such as public forums, open discussions and debates, freedom of speech and media etc. With this project I want to create a great Park with generous program embracing main democratic principles as a Public Space and Forum for everyone in capital of Armenia, Yerevan, BUT in case of nascent civil resistance the Park will become a space as a tool with urban inventory that people can use, manipulate, claim in order to defend their values and save own life's. This will be a Playground/Fortress for Democracy !

Cette recherche porte sur le changement social dans la période postsocialiste à Cluj-« Napoca », une ville transylvaine de Roumanie. En mobilisant une approche en termes de rapports sociaux à l’espace, l’étude explore les principes de différenciation tant spatialement que socialement. Les concepts d’« espace public » et de « lieu » ont permis une analyse aux multiples facettes menée selon quatre axes : matérialité et la visibilité des espaces, sphère publique-politique, vie sociale publique, investissements et appropriations individuelles. La thèse examine ainsi les activités qui se déroulent dans les places publiques centrales, les investissements spatiaux, les rituels quotidiens et les manifestations contestataires, les multiples attachements ethniques et religieux des habitants. L’ethnographie des places publiques centrales de Cluj-« Napoca » a mis en évidence une « faible classification des espaces » centraux de la ville, traduite par une grande diversité sociale. Les marques ethnicisantes parsemées à Cluj-« Napoca » renvoient aux groupes ethniques, mais aussi à d’autres enjeux qui relèvent du processus de restructuration du champ politique dans le postsocialisme. Dans le même registre, les stratégies de type ethnique sont mobilisées pour désigner de nouveaux critères de différenciation sociale et pour redéfinir d’anciennes catégories sociales. Oublis, silences et exigences d’esthétisation reflètent des demandes implicites des habitants pour redéfinir les cadres de la politique. Finalement, la thèse montre comment l’espace public à Cluj-« Napoca » pendant la période postsocialiste relève d’un processus continuel de diversification sociale et d’invention des Autres par d’incessantes mises à distance. L’espace public n’est pas la recherche de ce que pourrait constituer le vivre ensemble, mais la quête de ce qui nous menace et qu’il faut mettre à distance. / This research focuses on the social change in the Transylvanian city of Cluj-“Napoca” in post-socialist Romania. The study explores the principles of differentiation in both social and spatial terms. Drawing on the concepts of “public space” and “place”, a multi-dimensional analysis was conducted in four areas: materiality and visibility of space, public-political sphere, public social life, individual investment and appropriation. Thus, the thesis examines the activities that take place in the central public squares, the spatial investments, the everyday rituals and the protests, the inhabitants’ multiple ethnic and religious attachments. The ethnography of the central public spaces of Cluj-“Napoca” shows a “weak classification of spaces” in the center city, which reflects a wide social diversity. The marks of ethnic identification found throughout the population and public space of Cluj-“Napoca”, refer to ethnic groups but also to a number of issues related to the process of political restructuring in post-socialism. In the same vein, ethnically based strategies are put in place in order to identify new criteria of social differentiation and redefine old social categories. Omissions, silences and aesthetic requirements convey the way that the inhabitants’ implicit claims redefine the policy framework. In conclusion, the thesis shows how the public space in post-socialist Cluj-“Napoca” is an on-going process of social diversification and invention of Others by adopting a continuous stance of distancing. The public space is not the inquiry of what could be the “living together” (vivre ensemble), but the quest of what threat us and must be hold-off.

Cette recherche porte sur le changement social dans la période postsocialiste à Cluj-« Napoca », une ville transylvaine de Roumanie. En mobilisant une approche en termes de rapports sociaux à l’espace, l’étude explore les principes de différenciation tant spatialement que socialement. Les concepts d’« espace public » et de « lieu » ont permis une analyse aux multiples facettes menée selon quatre axes : matérialité et la visibilité des espaces, sphère publique-politique, vie sociale publique, investissements et appropriations individuelles. La thèse examine ainsi les activités qui se déroulent dans les places publiques centrales, les investissements spatiaux, les rituels quotidiens et les manifestations contestataires, les multiples attachements ethniques et religieux des habitants. L’ethnographie des places publiques centrales de Cluj-« Napoca » a mis en évidence une « faible classification des espaces » centraux de la ville, traduite par une grande diversité sociale. Les marques ethnicisantes parsemées à Cluj-« Napoca » renvoient aux groupes ethniques, mais aussi à d’autres enjeux qui relèvent du processus de restructuration du champ politique dans le postsocialisme. Dans le même registre, les stratégies de type ethnique sont mobilisées pour désigner de nouveaux critères de différenciation sociale et pour redéfinir d’anciennes catégories sociales. Oublis, silences et exigences d’esthétisation reflètent des demandes implicites des habitants pour redéfinir les cadres de la politique. Finalement, la thèse montre comment l’espace public à Cluj-« Napoca » pendant la période postsocialiste relève d’un processus continuel de diversification sociale et d’invention des Autres par d’incessantes mises à distance. L’espace public n’est pas la recherche de ce que pourrait constituer le vivre ensemble, mais la quête de ce qui nous menace et qu’il faut mettre à distance. / This research focuses on the social change in the Transylvanian city of Cluj-“Napoca” in post-socialist Romania. The study explores the principles of differentiation in both social and spatial terms. Drawing on the concepts of “public space” and “place”, a multi-dimensional analysis was conducted in four areas: materiality and visibility of space, public-political sphere, public social life, individual investment and appropriation. Thus, the thesis examines the activities that take place in the central public squares, the spatial investments, the everyday rituals and the protests, the inhabitants’ multiple ethnic and religious attachments. The ethnography of the central public spaces of Cluj-“Napoca” shows a “weak classification of spaces” in the center city, which reflects a wide social diversity. The marks of ethnic identification found throughout the population and public space of Cluj-“Napoca”, refer to ethnic groups but also to a number of issues related to the process of political restructuring in post-socialism. In the same vein, ethnically based strategies are put in place in order to identify new criteria of social differentiation and redefine old social categories. Omissions, silences and aesthetic requirements convey the way that the inhabitants’ implicit claims redefine the policy framework. In conclusion, the thesis shows how the public space in post-socialist Cluj-“Napoca” is an on-going process of social diversification and invention of Others by adopting a continuous stance of distancing. The public space is not the inquiry of what could be the “living together” (vivre ensemble), but the quest of what threat us and must be hold-off.