New EURA Conversations Post #44

SUCCESSFUL PUBLIC PROTEST

How toppling the statue of a slave trader had a wider impact

by Robin Hambleton, University of the West of England, United Kingdom

«The COVID-19 lockdowns reminded us of the important contribution that public space makes to the quality of life in cities. Several contributors to this series – for example, Isabelle Bray and Dannielle Sinnett – explain how public space improves our health and wellbeing. It is also the case that squares, parks, and civic spaces, because they provide settings for public protest, play a vital role in supporting urban democracy. It is worrying that some governments have used lockdown rules and regulations to erode freedom of expression in urban streets and public spaces – see, for example, Evangelia Athanassiou and Dimitris Chalastanis.»

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About the EURA Conversations series on Covid-19

The EURA Conversations blog was launched in May 2020, conceived as a democratic space to share experiences, offer reflections and open up conversations on various aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

We wish to facilitate international exchange of views on how different cities and communities have been responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, and to explore ideas on what our world might look like in the future.

We intend this space to provide you with an opportunity to put forward your views.