Young men of color in privately-owned public spaces: unexpected findings

ABSTRACT Much has been written about privately-owned public space. Most of the literature focuses on whether these spaces are used, the design of the spaces, and how the spaces can be improved. Researchers have also focused on methods that keep “undesirables”, such as the homeless, from using these spaces. Literature on privately-owned public space (POPS) argues that these spaces are exclusive and undemocratic. However, our research employed an empirical design that centered the voices and experiences of young men of color. What we found was unexpected given that we had taken for granted that these spaces would feel exclusionary. We offer an expansion upon the conclusions of other researchers and argue that the story of corporate public space, race, exclusion, and research into them is more complex than existing literature reveals.