Appropriation in Public Space as a Way of Improving a Quality of Life in a City: on the Example from Prague

The diploma thesis is focused on the phenomenon of processes of appropriation in public space. The analysis draws upon urban anthropology with the aim to point out that some appropriative tactics may help to improve a quality of life in a city. The thesis is based on the theoretical concepts of French scholars, namely Marc Augé, Michel de Certeau and Henri Lefebvre, who share the common interest in a man as the everyday user, but also the creator of public space. Another methodological tool is the qualitative criteria of public space established by Jan Gehl. After the introduction to the urban anthropology the thesis concerns with the public space itself, defining it, putting it into the practical framework and outlining the main problems of its crisis. The next part is about the processes of appropriation and their forms. In the applied part of the thesis are then described the examples of four Prague public spaces which are appropriated by their inhabitants and it is evaluated their importance for the whole city. In the last part is the theory turned into the practice in the form of micro- project in the Prague public space. Key words Appropriation, city, urban anthropology, public space, open space