Privatization of urban public spaces and its impact on sustainable cities and social inclusion

Abstract: The privatization of urban public spaces (UPS) raises questions about the sustainability of urban settings and the impact that privatization has on social inclusion and access to urban land and well developed public spaces. This paper reports and discusses findings from a critical review of local and international literature on the privatization of UPS. Although cities partner with the private sector in the planning, development, maintenance and management of UPS in attempt to build socially cohesive, environmentally friendly, and economically competitive cities, the review findings reveal that privatization is associated with the decreasing ‘publicness’ of UPS and shortcomings in the fulfilment of social and political responsibilities. Some of these shortcomings are the result of cities using privatization as a vehicle for economic development and financial revenue and not necessarily incorporating all sustainability attributes in terms of city planning and development. This paper argues that local authorities, city planning decision makers and the interests they are pursuing, influence the sustainable and socially cohesive design of cities