Lesson plan
Gray space
Gray space is a theoretical concept that explains the causes and consequences of a rapid expansion in informal and temporary urban development, widely prevalent in contemporary city regions. It argues that the rise of informality reflects a significant transformation of urban regime and citizenship. The concept was formulated by geographer and urbanist Oren Yiftachel, who noted that through a process of 'gray spacing', urban society is increasingly being governed under frameworks of 'separate and unequal', spawning greater uneven fragmentation, conflict and ethno-class stratification. Urban and planning theorists are thus challenged by this theory to reinvent equal and just forms of belonging and resources allocation in the increasingly informal city. In geography, land use planning, and epidemiology, the term 'grey space' (note the spelling with e) is used to refer to urban land covers that are not green, as an antonym of urban green space. Recent work in Leisure Studies has sought to define this urban "grey space" as a material and symbolic feature of outdoor leisure pursuits, like skateboarding.
Article summary
Gray space is a theoretical concept that explains the causes and consequences of a rapid expansion in informal and temporary urban development, widely prevalent in contemporary city regions. It argues that the rise of informality reflects a significant transformation of urban regime and citizenship. The concept was formulated by geographer and urbanist Oren Yiftachel, who noted that through a process of 'gray spacing', urban society is increasingly being governed under frameworks of 'separate and unequal', spawning greater uneven fragmentation, conflict and ethno-class stratification. Urban and planning theorists are thus challenged by this theory to reinvent equal and just forms of belonging and resources allocation in the increasingly informal city. In geography, land use planning, and epidemiology, the term 'grey space' (note the spelling with e) is used to refer to urban land covers that are not green, as an antonym of urban green space. Recent work in Leisure Studies has sought to define this urban "grey space" as a material and symbolic feature of outdoor leisure pursuits, like skateboarding.
Key claims
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.