Reimagining Public Spaces

For the past few years, young individuals meeting each other in public spaces have been progressively labeled as a group associated with disturbances. The rise of terms like "troublesome youth" has gained attention in the media. These terms involve young people who gather on the streets, often leading to conflicts with community residents and other stakeholders.

However, the insufficient opportunities available to the youth in public spaces are absorbing increased attention as well. The motivation to address this issue and actively engage diverse stakeholders provides the foundation for this master's thesis. The study centers around a small park called 'Het Godshuishammeke Plein' in the neighbourhood of Sluizeken-Tolhuis-Ham (Ghent, Belgium) focusing on the recurring conflicts between young individuals and local residents that take place there.
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"How can we develop participatory design scenarios that not only encourage the utilization of public spaces by young individuals but also stimulate inclusive engagement with other stakeholders such as local police officers, residents and the government?"