Uban areas are filled with mysteries.
The phrase “Uban areas are filled with mysteries” precisely describes the intricate, ambiguous and ever-evolving character of cities. Uban space is a lot more than the distribution of its buildings, streets and infrastructure. It is a space, that is formed by society, that is challenged economically, interpreted culturally, and negotiated politically.
What makes urban spaces so mysterious?
Many meanings
The same space can be seen in many different ways.
A square can be a place for leisure for one group, a working place for some sellers, a meeting point for politicians, and a place for surveillance for forces of law.
Visible and invisible sides
What we see in urban areas is a concrete city—its buildings, streets, parks, and markets.
But in addition, below, there are invisible networks of power, capital, identity, social relations, and exclusion.
Contradictions
Cities produce both opportunities, and inequality.
Modern shopping centers grow near informal markets. Luxury apartments can be seen next to slums. And modern infrastructure may coexist with underdeveloped services.
Continuous change
Urban zones develop constantly due to migration, redevelopment, gentrification, technological innovations and changes in lifestyles.
Thus, what was real today may change tomorrow.
Contested space
Various interest groups compete for urban resources and land.
The question arises who deserves to occupy, use, and shape urban space.
Formal and informal sides
Urban planner creates the formal city while street vendors, informal houses, temporary residents, and daily use create the other urban life.
Many times, these two aspects go together.
Different people see cities differently
Gender, class, age, occupation, income, disability and social identity influence the way people use streets, parks, transport, and urban space in general.
Thus, there is no one experience of “the city”.

One more important point in this regard
Urban Space = Physical Space + Social Relations + Economic Forces + Political Power + Cultural Meanings + Everyday Practices
Thus, urban space can be called palimpsest.

Readings:

Urban Spaces are Consequential

Urban Spaces are Situational


Entangled Urbanism: Visualising Urban Space as a Network of Interconnected Spaces