My Choice For A Space - 1747 Words

Tomkins Park, my choice for a space which encapsulates both the ideas of diversity and how that urban form and constrains a certain group was challenging to decide upon, both on the side how that space affects a particular group such as women, and how such a space may change, becoming more accepting of that group. I chose a space, which was seemingly public and has a great level of diversity of who uses this public space. I decided to partake in an observational study of Tomkins Park, located in Calgary’s Beltline neighbourhood of 17th Avenue. A relatively small public space, which straddles several busy roads and businesses. My reasoning for choosing this space was the amenities Tomkins Park offers, a public restroom, free to make use of†¦show more content†¦I observed a homeless women go into the restroom during the early hours of the day, only to have a patrol officer come and forcibly open the door to the restroom, and then proceed to arrest her. This space may se em welcoming to anyone who wishes to use it, however because of its location in such a busy area, routine police patrols, to ensure that the space is still ‘safe’, meaning that those who do not fit the description of a white, upper middle class individual will most likely be repositioned to one of Calgary’s already overburdened homeless shelters. Just a couple block from the park is one of Calgary’s most divided neighbourhoods, Mission, which, has a great wealth divide of those who occupy it. Renters eagerly meek by in order to live there, while, large turn of the century homes receive renovations to make way for the upper class to further gentrify this area of the city. However, because of the businesses in this area, it is incredibly welcoming to the vast amounts of foot traffic, so desired by the city’s homeless. I decided to stay in the park during a busy afternoon and make it appear as if I was reading while taking notes on my observations. Many people walked through the space and appeared to have a cordial demeanour to anyone else who may make eye contact