Cultural Space

The meaning of space and place are constructed by those with power in a given society. These powers were formed by the political economy of global cities, urban regeneration, the growth of postmodern cities, the ideas that cities can be read as texts, and the growth and extension of cybercities.  As Gideon’s argues, human activities are the fundamental to understanding social and cultural life. Barker further explains the roles in which humans give each room within a house a specific characteristic and roles. For instance, the den within most households is the relaxing and social room. The den is the room where people come to gather and bond.  Space is nothing without time. As Einstein’s theory claims, the theory of relatively, space, and time are not to be thought of separate entities but as inextricably interwoven. Both space and time are required for the other to occur.

Another important construction of place is the roles of gender. The roles of genders vary over space and have different meanings. For example, places of work are generally dominated by males. However, the rise of masculinity started to create change as the modern world approached. Cities space generally gave women the space for growth and emergence in this man’s world.

The growths of cities were based on the people who held power. For instance, the Lagos and their buildings symbolized the emergence of capitalism. However, that power was taken over by the poor and the economy faced a downturn in 1980’s.  The separation of classes widens and the city wall grew higher.

Which led me to think of how the economy continues to change. The economy is changing not only here in the United States, but nationally as well.  It seems as though the space of the poor and wealthy continue to separate. United States, itself at times functions like 50 different countries. Weber believed urban life would bring about modern industrial democracy and the emergence of the “iron cage” of bureaucratic organizations. On the other hand, Marx thought urban life would bring productivity. Marx believed it could bring forth poverty, indifference, and squalor. Urban life could offer some escape from control on traditional norms.