Osmosis across defensible space: observations and lessons from dérives in London during COVID-19

Abstract

The idea of “defensible space” was/is to give residents control of public spaces they feel they have no control over. If they gained control, they would defend these spaces, care for them, and protect them (and their property) from crime. The pandemic required a rapidly retrofitted public space–emergency cycle lanes, widened pavements, or play streets. The practices of negotiating public space to take permitted exercise or queue for essential groceries forced us all to rethink ideas of territoriality and safe encounter. Closer to home, domestic territories were also altered. Walking past terraced homes’ front gardens onto housing estates, or past high-density blocks and fenced-off playgrounds, we realized how valuable leftover “wasted spaces” had become. Courtyards became spaces to sit out amongst abandoned cars. Doors and windows were left open, renegotiating senses of privacy and ownership. People appropriated what would have been thought of as the public realm for social[ly distanced] activities. Wandering strangers were often waved through, acknowledged with a nod if their mask obscured a smile of greeting, the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that social ritual can overcome confused territoriality, and that some indefensible spaces can be remodeled.