Diary of a public space user : reflections on southern urbanism

Abstract

Public spaces in South Africa reflect the everyday urban realities of public space users. These spaces embrace a complex narrative of past ideas, current needs and future dreams. This article focuses on the diary of a public space user in a dynamic Global South city, Pretoria, South Africa. It presents the critical reflections of a young planner obtained through multiple walks in two sets of public spaces, recorded in a research diary. The experiences of the young planner are then compared to those of other public space users to investigate different everyday urban experiences. Rooted in a Southern perspective, the article reflects on the nature and meaning of everyday realities through the lens of critical urbanism. The discussion highlights the value of critical reflection through the use of research diaries to assist young planners in understanding the everyday dynamics associated with southern urbanism in Pretoria.