Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, in his book "The Right to the City: Social Justice and the Fight for Public Space", Don Mitchell points out that public spaces are being restricted and constricted by physical barriers, behavior modification techniques and stringent policing methods including surveillance cameras. Next, the author presents Mitchell's argument that capitalism and neo-liberalism are the primary causes for recent changes to city spaces and that public space must be made democratic. The paper underscores Mitchell's statement that the city should be legally construed as a shared collective space that belongs to all citizens including homeless people, who deserve the right to find housing in a public space.

From the Paper:

"By definition, urban centers are heterogeneous public zones. Any number of interactions and transactions may take place within the city zone. Some of those actions are likely to cause alarm, annoyance, consternation, and even fear. Fear has been the primary tactic of restricting the rights of the city, notes Mitchell. Even before September 11, fear tactics were used to control homeless populations in cities like New York and reduce instances of loitering, panhandling, and picketing. Mitchell refers to "the fear of inappropriate users" to describe the underlying motive for legal changes that affect the urban environment."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Mitchell, Don. The Right to the City. Guilford Press, 2003.

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