Dualism in urban realms : the role of intermediate space

Abstract

Society unawarely follows a dichotomous organisation which has led to a fragmented relationship with space and the rest of society. Space is presented to society in two distinct and seemingly opposing natures, it either belongs to the public or is of private nature, or caters for the need of the vehicle but not to the pedestrian. This dissertation studies the boundaries which separate space and discovers that these boundaries do not only separate but are in reality spaces in their own right. Hard boundaries between public and private, man and vehicle, are created because the existence of the other is thought to be challenging to one’s existence, hence one tends promote separation. To tackle these well-established hard boundaries, this study searches into the roots of historical and contemporary urban form, and analyses how these boundaries in reality affect society’s quality of life, and what its needs really are. Maltese society is of an introverted nature, our is attention especially confined to within our dwellings. Internal spaces are well-kept and well-designed, and we underestimate the importance of establishing a relationship with the outer public realms. This study challenges the most private and secluded realms of residential nature to expand from their protected shell onto the public outside. This study analyses a local residential edge according to criteria which do not focus on one side of the coin, but give attention to the needs of both; the public and the private, the man and the vehicle. That is why it finds a resulting intermediate space which belong to both, where both sides benefit from each other’s existence.