ABSTRACT
The essay revisits the normative understanding of space—urban spaces in particular—as part of an ongoing exploration into new possibilities for the shaping of the built environment. Specifically, it illustrates the bevy of problems with generally accepted notions of space and the types of “acceptable” bodies within. It claims universal, apolitical applications of a singular spatial aesthetic are deeply flawed as they ignore, exclude, and/or dismiss broader conceptions of aesthetics arising from community creativity in the public realm. By focusing on the impact one such community might have on identity construction, urban spatial aesthetics, planning and architectural practices, and everyday life, the essay seeks to highlight both the obstacles and opportunities of establishing a broader spatial perspective.
