Public life is inherently rooted in material space. Public spaces are often where collective action begins, political concerns are voiced and power is contested. Public space has always been fundamentally urban. Demonstrations, protests and rallies typically take place in cities, whose streets and squares offer particular opportunities for political visibility. They provide spaces in which political demands of all kinds can be brought before the public and those wielding state, social or economic power can be confronted with counter-power. But why is the physical expression of political positions in the city so essential to the public sphere? Is the city merely a stage for political action, or does it actively shape the actions that unfold in urban public spaces? And what is the current state of the urban public sphere? The lecture addressed these questions, examining the intricate relationship between the city, public space and the public sphere.
