How is privatization rewriting urban life?

What makes a city feel alive? There was a time when the neighborhood parks or street corners used to be the designated places where the cities used to come alive. However today much of that energy has been shifted to malls, gated parks and controlled plazas. These changes have transformed the character of the cities that we live in today, from collective spaces to controlled and consumerist ones which undermine the basic democratic nature of civic spaces. The issue is further exacerbated by the fact that such spaces are highly financed and managed by private entities that have little to no accountability to the public.

What Are Public Spaces, and Why Do They Matter?

The Charter of Public Space defines public spaces as “all places publicly owned or of public use, accessible and enjoyable by all for free and without a profit motive”. Ideally, these spaces serve as the material location where social interactions and activities of the public occur. These spaces act as social equalizers, where everyone can claim presence without any preconditions or barriers.

But when these spaces are commodified it creates a categorisation in the society allowing only those who fit certain economical or social brackets to have access. French philosopher Henri Lefebvre deepened this understanding with his concepts of “right to the city” and “production of social spaces”; wherein he emphasized on the the right of all urban inhabitants and not just the privileged to access, participate  and shape urban life.

Richard Sennett highlights that cities thrive when they remain open, unpredictable and full of everyday surprises. Unlike rigid, controlled environments, open cities allow people to meet by chance, to stumble across new experiences, and to interact with others without planning or permissions. Privatised spaces on the other hand often feel like closed spaces. They control who participates, how people behave and the kind of encounters allowed. While this makes them orderly and safe, it also takes away the spontaneity that gives urban life its energy. The messiness of public spaces is precisely what makes a city vibrant, inclusive and alive.

Privatization in Indian Cities: Real-World Example

In India, poor management and years of  underfunding and mismanagement of such public spaces led to the rise of public private partnerships, evident in projects like smart cities, beautification drives and gated parks. On the surface these initiatives promise efficiency, modernity and well maintained urban areas, however in reality they often come at the cost of inclusivity. They transform such shared spaces to spaces accessible only to middle and upper classes, to those who can afford to pay for these services, creating a distinction between us and them. Shopping malls, gated parks and corporate plazas illustrate this change vividly. They are monitored not only by security guards but also by CCTV cameras, While these measures are often justified as safety precautions, they alter the way people experience these spaces, the people become conscious of being watched and this imposes a sense of control; and in this way security becomes a tool for exclusion. What should be open, democratic arenas of encounter become curated zones, favouring certain appearances and behaviours over others.

While the government claims to have enhanced public access and civic amenities, including improved green cover and paved walkways along the Kartavya Path, the reality is more complex. The redevelopment has led to the restriction of access to certain areas, with the Central Public Works Department imposing bans on photography and videography, as well as limiting entry to non-essential visitors during construction phases. Actions like these have led to the notion that the principle of  public trust and that public spaces remain accessible to all citizens is now heavily undermined.

Policy and Planning Solutions.

To counter the privatization of urban spaces, cities need planning approaches that are inclusive and participatory. The goal is to make sure that public spaces remain open, democratic and responsive to the needs of the people.

One approach is participatory planning, when the local communities are actively involved in shaping public spaces, the resulting designs reflect real and everyday needs. In Lucknow, for example the Uttar Pradesh government has made efforts to include the citizens in urban planning, connecting development with the context of surrounding neighborhoods.

Another strategy is the creation of pocket parks and micro public spaces. These  are small, often overlooked areas transformed into green, accessible spots for recreation and social interaction. In Ahmedabad the development along SG road aims to combine commercial activity with public utility, food, streets, recreational areas and green space. Planners have even proposed a network or ribbon of pocket parks to improve social cohesion and enhance environmental quality in urban localities.

Way forward

Privatization is transforming urban life by turning spaces that were once lively and democratic into controlled environments that mainly serve the affluent. In India, examples such as Delhi’s Central Vista or gated tech parks show how public spaces are becoming increasingly regulated and monitored, leaving less room for spontaneous social interaction and cross community encounters.

Yet, this trend can be reversed by participatory planning, creating small public parks, designing streets for pedestrians, fostering inclusive corporate spaces, and ensuring partnerships between public and private actors are accountable to the community. When accessibility, diversity and citizen involvement are at the centre of planning urban spaces, these spaces can once again be dynamic spaces where people from all backgrounds meet, interact and contribute to the life of the city.