Bibliographies on public space

1. Young People and Public Space: A bibliography

The original bibliography was compiled for delegates to 'Youth 98: Public Spaces, Public Voices', a conference held at the University of Melbourne on 16-19 April 1998, co-hosted by ACYS and the Youth Research Centre with support from the Australian Youth Foundation. Compiled by Anne Hugo with Prof. Rob White (who was at the time at the University of Melbourne) and with help from John Jablonka, William Tyler,  Mardi Flick, the bibliography was published by the Australian Clearinghouse for Youth Studies.

Revision notes: Content revised: 7 June 2000;  as of 2001, this bibliography has been maintained by the YSPACE network (http://www.yspace.net). If you have bibliographic items to contribute please contact the maintainer the YSPACE network (Phil Crane, School of Humanities and Human Services, Queensland University of Technology, Carseldine Queensland 4034).

Yspace
http://www.yspace.net
Yspace grew out of a growing body of work undertaken by researchers and organisations in recent decades and more specifically, the work undertaken by Brisbane City Council and Queensland University of Technology. The catalyst was connections made at the International Young People and Social Exclusion Conference, Glasgow in September 1999. Following this conference, a small working party was formed to discuss how an international network could be developed.’
This network is an international online network for the discussion of public space. ‘Yspace network has been formed to foster and support the development across nations of youth inclusive policy and practice in the design and management of public and community accessed spaces. Yspace seeks to provide a mechanism for researchers, young people, various levels of government, planners and youth services to share information, insights, good practice, resources and concerns.’

Non-government resources

Youth 98: Public Spaces, Public Voices
This was a research and practice symposium organised by ACYS and the Youth Research Centre at the University of Melbourne. It was held at the University of Melbourne in April 1998. The symposium focused on the important policy, program and research issues around young people's views, action and initiatives within the public arena.
Symposium presentations and discussions covered the various meanings of 'public space' (physical, cultural, economic, social, media/information and virtual or cyberspace) and on the important policy, program and research issues around young people's views, action and initiatives within the public arena.
The main themes and issues addressed at Youth 98 included:

Public spaces:

• What is the relationship between private and public institutions in the construction and management of public space? What are the impacts and outcomes of this relationship?
• How is public space regulated? How does this impact on young people?
• What is the nature of resources at a local level, particularly the spatial or geographical dimensions to social inequality?

Public voices:

• How can young people be included in communities? What does active citizenship entail? How do we promote democracy?
• How can young people and those who work with them influence the policy process?
• How can youth workers develop standards of professional practice and gain social recognition?

Agency and action:

• What is the nature and extent of young people's capacity to influence and control their lives?
• What is the accountability of institutions such as schools, welfare organisations, youth organisations and government agencies to young people?
• How do young people manage their multiple involvements and responsibilities in family life, education, workplaces, peer groups and social involvement?

Following the Youth 98 symposium, a group of researchers at the Queensland University of Technology University has developed an online network for the discussion of public space issues internationally, and maintains the Young People and Public Space bibliography. (See YSPACE, above.)

'Common Ground' was a pilot project to reduce fear of crime in Hobart and the satellite municipality of Glenorchy in Tasmania. Working with community and youth groups, city councils, police and business groups, the project aimed to encourage the safe and shared use of public space and to promote a positive image of young people. It was a joint initiative of National Crime Prevention and Tasmanian Crime Prevention and was auspiced by the Youth Network of Tasmania. The Common Ground program lead to the development of the Streetsmart Kit which became a major YNOT project in 2003/2004. For more details, contact YNOT ph. (03) 6230 2941; website: http://www.ynot.org.au