“When public space fits”

What kind of territories do people design for themselves in public space?
‘When public space fits’ shows how people always follow their own discoveries despite the functional classification of public space, whatever the ’pure’ function is. Sometimes the authorities are creative like the ones in Sao Paulo making special chairs for people with obesity.

Womena€™s trolleybus

Bishkek -  I carry with me all my things. The cabin of Women’s trolleybus is very cozy.…
Sapargul Turdubekov – Bishkek Lab

Undercover gym

Sao Paulo -  Next to the Catadores (the informal rubbish collectors’ coop) men from the (neighbor) hood have created their own open-air gym. Directly under the traffic viaducts, it is a good initiative…
Lino Hellings – Sao Paulo Lab

to wait

Rotterdam -  Around this area most people are shopping. But these men choose to sit, to focus on other actions like making a call, texting and reading the newspaper. While their girlfriend…
Erika Blikman – Rotterdam Lab

Sleeping space

Lagos -  During my WildWalk, while attempting to walk through this space I was stopped and warned not to pass through it, as it is a sleeping space for some homeless people…
Andrew Esiebo – Migrationpapa

Obesity

Sao Paulo -  A note above the blue chair says it is reserved for obese people. Try to avoid blue chairs. In the metro carriages there is a run on the brown chairs…
Lino Hellings – Sao Paulo Lab

Car wash

Sao Paulo -  Cars Wash organized by homeless and unemployed workers. They use water from a spring and the electricity is stolen from street lights to wash and vacuum the cars. Is charged…
Marcelo Ferrelli – Sao Paulo Lab

Taxi drivers dominoes

Sao Paulo -  Way to wait for customers. Taxi drivers play games (dominoes) while they wait for a phone call. Sao Paulo, Vila Madalena…
Ines Correa – Sao Paulo Lab

Sitting room

Rotterdam -  Mother and daughter sitting and eating chips. It is very Dutch it is to eat chips with mayonnaise on the street. On the market square there is a stall:…
Lino Hellings – Rotterdam Lab

Lovers Lane

Dhaka -  Mohakhali Flyover. There are very few places for couples to meet in the crowded city of Dhaka. This is especially so for people with a low income who cannot afford…
Shahidul Alam – Flyoverpapa

Taxi drivers chess room

Bishkek -  On almost every street corner you can see taxi drivers playing chess or backgammon. Sometimes on improvised furniture, like here. Sometimes just squatting in a circle on the side of…
Lino Hellings – Bishkek Lab

Public pray ground

Lagos -  Ramadan and it’s prayer time. These devout people have carved out a little road-side space near their place of business to pray. Note they have a clock to remind them…
Toye Gbade – Lagos Lab

Great fun

Rotterdam -  In the Old West of Rotterdam ninety percent of the inhabitants are originally from all different parts of the world. African ladies having great fun sitting on a low rail…
Lino Hellings – Rotterdam Lab

Squatters mosk

Lagos -  Before the government could take a stand, the spaces have been occupied according to the squatters’ principles by public bus operators, thugs and the homeless. It was kind of a…
Toye Gbade – Flyoverpapa

Open air restaurant

Dhaka -  The footpath next to the Mohakhali Flyover is a thriving business area. A young man swats away flies from his freshly fried ‘shingaras’ meat pies. …
Shahidul Alam – Flyoverpapa

Commuters restaurant

Lagos -  Here is a local restaurant running from under a bridge in Obalende, one of the busiest motor parks in lagos. It basically caters for the traffic of commuters daily plying…
Toye Gbade – Flyoverpapa