Cities of Senses: Visible and Invisible Borders in Public Spaces

Abstract

Current understandings of borders in public spaces are informed by urban design theories, premised on the prevalence of visible, material borders. However, borders have a complex and multisensory nature, which has a significant bearing on the regulation of everyday individual and collective life. In multicultural urban spaces of Europe, the issue of invisible borders is related to the issue of collective identities. In this chapter, we will explore the multisensorial dimensions of border dynamics in space and time in relation to the integrative potential of urban public space. We will theoretically discuss how to understand the role of multisensory borders in public spaces to enhance or inhibit social interactions. In particular, we will consider the role borders in public space can play in mediating the integration of out-groups (for instance immigrants, deviant youth, ethnic minorities and older people) in civic life.