Public Space as Social Infrastructure for Urban Wellbeing: Transformation and resistance in Protomagias Square, Athens under persistent austerity

Abstract

Under ongoing multiple-crises conditions, urban transformation threatens public open spaces in Athens, Greece, with commodification, supported by persistent ‘austerity urbanism’ (Peck, 2012) reflecting broader patterns of uneven geographical development. This paper analyses socio-spatial dynamics in Protomagias Square at Pedion tou Areos park, examining how these interconnected spaces emerged as pivotal sites for contesting socio-spatial inequalities. The study focuses on the square’s transformation since 2023, when Attiko Metro S.A. unexpectedly fenced off one-third of the public space for metro construction, storage, and office facilities, shrinking already scarce public space and constraining social life of inhabitants. Through qualitative analysis, the research demonstrates how grassroots resistance creates possibilities for democratic city-making approaches. Findings reveal how public space enclosure represents institutionalised violence against urban commons, while community mobilisation asserts alternative values prioritising care over profit and collective wellbeing over private accumulation.