Marginal Spaces, Valuable Places

Abstract

The modernist efficiency focussed city produces a particular austere behaviour within the nine to five workday. Spaces in between buildings such as service lanes, alley ways and small nooks and crannies potentially offer a reprieve from the efficiency driven bustle of the CBD. These often functional and banal spaces may serve as a counterpoint to the workday and facilitate temporary relief from life on the street, often supporting playful behaviour as described by Quentin Stevens (2007) as a transgression from the norm or what is expected.

The challenge is increasing the value of these lane ways and service lanes, and reinforcing their particular social role in the city. Usually focussed on efficiency and functionality, these marginal spaces hold huge potential to add value to the fabric of the city.

This thesis is comprised of ten chapters in three parts. Part One is comprised of indirect research which sets a framework for the direct site research and design-led research in Part Two. Part Three provides an opportunity for reflection and discussion, analysing the first two parts and the relevance of the thesis outcomes.