Loose Space | Possibility and Diversity in Urban Life

- by Karen A Franck

Chapter 9
Heterotopias and the Experience of Porous Urban Space

We, the human civilization, tend to reside in the part of the urban fabric
that matches our cultural, professional and socio-economic backgrounds.

Breaking this barrier, this chapter of the book talks about heterotopias and
porous thresholds. Bringing in diversity and urban collective life in a fabric,
heterotopia means spaces where differences meet. To allow this to happen,
a porous space is a catalyst at the macro as well as micro levels.

Examples of porous streets, such as eating at the street and taking naps in
a shady corner, stated in the book are very relevant even in the Indian
context. Porous urban life has the strength to shatter all the prejudice and
mythical borders erected to retain strict boundaries between a range of
social orders.

Thresholds are perceived physically, as well as mentally. Symbolically, they

are perforating perimeters connecting separated others. However, they
possess the power to connect while separating and separating while
connecting. The examples discussed in the chapter about slums and gated
residences showcase the power of thresholds to separate people from life
beyond. To exploit the power of thresholds to connect, threshold
awareness is a must! It defies all the dominating myths.

When refugees from Turkey were forced to relocate to Greece, they resided
in an isolated and shady neighbourhood. It was clearly distinguished from
the rest of the city by a sanitary wall (a physical and mental threshold).
Gradually, these refugees tried re-establishing public life by creating
gathering places at their shops and conducting local traditional & cultural
festivals. This attracted people from all over the city to the secluded region.
Activities and spaces created by refugees broke all the barriers and allowed
their region to fuse well with the city. It was interesting to realise the fact
that the sanitary wall surrounding it was still a connecting as well as
separating threshold.

Due to overpopulation and the modernization of housing, loose spaces are

often considered public spaces for heterotopia. As seen in the Alexandras
Avenue Building, when there is a lack or absence of public spaces, people
utilise in-between spaces for that purpose. Terrace, where the clothes are
dried, is used to meet or exchange dialogues with women. While kids use
stairways to play and greet. This is how a porous and permeable
membrane was created for regular interaction.

It is only with the assistance and presence of thresholds accompanying

heterotopic spaces, citizens can experience a diversified urban life!

Vatsal Vora
U19191