Transforming Spaces: A Framework for the Identification and Analysis of Adolescents’ No-Go Areas in Vienna

Abstract

The availability and usability of public space in urban fabric is important for adolescents, as they can use these places in the absence of parental control or impacts from school. Nevertheless, several studies point out, that particular public places often have a negative connotation for young people. The project Transforming Spaces identifies adolescents' negatively associated places in Vienna, and the motives behind those perceptions, by applying a participatory multi-perspective research approach. Participatory GIS-methods are used to locate these No-Go areas and to analyse their spatial distribution. Interviews, focus groups, and artistic approaches are applied to identify and reflect the motives of negative perceptions. Furthermore the comparison of an external view on negatively associated places with an internal view should help to reduce barriers and to transform subjective spatial connotations. This paper presents the methodological framework of the project and discusses challenges as well as benefits of the selected multi-methodological approach.