Urban morphology, use, and gender : studying ‘fourth places’ in Ħamrun

Abstract

This study presents ‘fourth places’ as an additional typology to informal socio-spatial contexts alongside ‘third places’. Scholars increasingly view public realms as prescribed spaces, whereas the in-between zones where spontaneous encounters occur are often forgotten, therefore, this dissertation is an empirical evaluation of people's behavioral responses to the environmental quality of such residual, community-gathering spaces. The research methodology is based on an exploratory approach to studying social settings that do not fit into the conventional typology of spaces such as squares. A perception mapping method was adopted, whereby on-site observations of stationary activities along a stretch of St. Joseph High Road in Ħamrun were recorded, followed by participatory interviews with the social actors of the space. The data was directly mapped out using Mapping for Change, a real-time digital mapping tool that contributed to identifying the existing fourth places in Ħamrun. Based on the literature review and extensive observations, six morphological characteristics of the space were recognized: threshold, edge effect, niche effect, piano effect, optimal elevation, and subspace. The transcripts were thematically coded, and all six criteria were assessed and examined to see which ones facilitate stationary activities and furthermore, which ones influence who uses the space in terms of gender. According to the findings, people transitioned from using circumscribed public spaces to fourth places mostly owing to cleanliness. Males, particularly adults, dominate the social group that appropriates such space, while most stationary activities, including standing and community gathering, occur in fourth spaces with an edge effect. Seating, the type of users in the space, and the environment itself all contribute to stationary activities in fourth places. Ultimately, the findings are relevant to urban planning by providing insights into how to create more gender-inclusive public spaces.