Table Of ContentA Living Room in the City: The Place of Public Space in the Everyday Lives
of Middle Eastern Women in Greater Brisbane
Roja Gholamhosseini
Bachelor of Civil-Geomatics Eng.; Master of Urban and Regional Planning
A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at
The University of Queensland in 2017
School of Earth & Environmental Sciences
Abstract
With the first step people take out of their homes, they enter public territory. One of the
significant visions for urban planners producing spaces for public life is creating a feeling of
comfort for each urban dweller in this wide territory of many. Successful public spaces can only
be produced through informed planning and understanding the needs of all urban dwellers. In an
attempt to understand the needs of one group of urban dwellers, Middle Eastern women in
Greater Brisbane, this study investigates their everyday experiences of public spaces in Greater
Brisbane and explores the suitability of available public spaces for this group.
The aim of this study is to answer questions about the roles that urban spaces play in the
daily lives of migrant women to find ways of making better connections between their everyday
experience as migrants and public spaces as a constituent element of social life. To introduce a
platform in which the voice of this minority group could be heard this study is an attempt to
explore and understand the role and structure of urban spaces from three different angles: the
meaning of public and private space, and relationships between the two spaces; diversity and
migration and the impact of these on the everyday life of migrant people (especially on their use
of public space); and women and their needs and expectations for urban spaces. These three
different themes, in addition to the characteristics of Australian society and cities, could describe
the main question of this research: how can the experiences of Middle Eastern migrant women
using public spaces inform the planning and design of such spaces?
Phenomenology is the research approach adopted in this study. A Phenomenological
approach is appropriate when the research question requires an intimate awareness and deep
understanding of how humans experience a situation. Based on data collected through semi-
structured in-depth interviews with twenty Middle Eastern women, and with the assist of NVivo
software and Phenomenological approach (Moustakas’ modification of the Van Kaam model),
twelve themes were identified that address the way this group of urban dwellers experience the
built and natural environment.
Aside from an in-depth understanding of the urban experience for Middle Eastern women,
the findings from this study recognises and understands how minority groups/migrants experience
urban settings presenting possible ways planning disciplines could better respond to the needs and
expectations of these urban dwellers. The research findings presented in this study contribute to
planning involving Middle Eastern populations in multicultural settings and show how gender,
social construct, ethnic composition, religious beliefs, and lifestyle define and change the ways in
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which urban spaces are experienced and used by these urban dwellers. Subsequently these findings
emphasize the role of urban specialists, particularly urban planners, in design and production of
inclusive urban spaces that are suitable for use by multicultural groups and provide the possibility
of intercultural dialogue. For example, inclusive spatial production of urban spaces considers
Muslim women and their cultural-religious beliefs in the production of more woman-friendly
spaces. This study suggests that the more people encounter and are exposed to other cultures and
ethnicities, the more the democratic aspect of ‘public’ is demonstrated.
The findings in this study also suggest that by recognising the needs of ethnic
groups/minorities in the social construct of multicultural cities, public spaces could have more
harmony and features that help promote Brisbane and the Greater Brisbane region as world-class.
These features include neighbourhoods with mixed-use design, neighbourhoods as arenas of social
life, women-only public services and facilities, planning with the aid of cultural maps, and
advocating night-life activities and cultural/ethnic/religious festivals. Planning for such spaces on a
neighbourhood and city scale produces places that help women create meaning out of their
everyday urban lives and helps them adapt to their new cultural and social setting in Australian
cities.
Shopping centres, local and regional parks, and well-maintained sidewalks are some
examples of these meaningful places. Diverse night-life, well-lit routes, local public recreational
facilities, and walkable shopping streets are some examples of cultural and environmental requisites
that help Middle Eastern women enjoy a lifestyle better suited to their expectations and
understanding of public spaces. These well-planned public spaces could help women to leave the
safe haven of their homes and other private spaces in order to blend in or connect with the new
society of their host country. This process of assimilation can gradually change their ‘host country’
into their new ‘home country’ by making memories, history, and attachment associated with
everyday places of their life. Spatial production of inclusive urban spaces could be the key factor in
providing all groups of urban dwellers with different ethnicities, backgrounds, values and beliefs,
with equal opportunity to assert their right to the city.
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Declaration by author
This thesis is composed of my original work, and contains no material previously published or
written by another person except where due reference has been made in the text. I have clearly
stated the contribution by others to jointly-authored works that I have included in my thesis.
I have clearly stated the contribution of others to my thesis as a whole, including statistical
assistance, survey design, data analysis, significant technical procedures, professional editorial
advice, and any other original research work used or reported in my thesis. The content of my thesis
is the result of work I have carried out since the commencement of my research higher degree
candidature and does not include a substantial part of work that has been submitted to qualify for
the award of any other degree or diploma in any university or other tertiary institution. I have
clearly stated which parts of my thesis, if any, have been submitted to qualify for another award.
I acknowledge that an electronic copy of my thesis must be lodged with the University Library and,
subject to the policy and procedures of The University of Queensland, the thesis be made available
for research and study in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968 unless a period of embargo has
been approved by the Dean of the Graduate School.
I acknowledge that copyright of all material contained in my thesis resides with the copyright
holder(s) of that material. Where appropriate I have obtained copyright permission from the
copyright holder to reproduce material in this thesis.
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Publications during candidature
No publications included.
Publications included in this thesis
No publications included.
Contributions by others to the thesis
No contributions by others.
Statement of parts of the thesis submitted to qualify for the award of another degree
None.
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Acknowledgements
This dissertation would not have been achievable without the invaluable support and
contribution of many great people, only some of whom it is possible to mention here. I would
therefore like to extend my deepest gratitude to those people who have supported me either
intellectually or emotionally throughout this journey.
I sincerely thank my supervisory team Dr Dorina Pojani and Dr Iderlina Mateo-Babiano, for
their tremendous support, invaluable advice, and high levels of patience during the last year of my
candidature.
I express my sincere gratitude to Associate Professor John Minnery and Ms. Laurel Johnson,
for their invaluable time, guidance and encouragement. I thank them for their substantial
contribution in shaping the conceptual part of this research study, for their thoughtful criticism and
determined encouragement. I have been very fortunate to work under their supervision for three
years. They exemplify many of the individual and professional qualities that I wish to emulate in
my lifer and career.
I extend my gratitude to the following people for their help in completing this research:
• Professor Jonathan Corcoran and Associate Professor Patrick Moss for their inspiring
comments, responsive support and continuous consideration.
• Mr. Reza Alimohammadi for his generosity in spending precious time in the
development of interview questions and the study’s survey questionnaire;
• Ms Somayeh Mousavi for reviewing the interview transcripts and providing me with
extensive feedback;
• Dr Lynda Cheshire for providing me with excellent learning experiences, intellectual
challenge and genuine assistance with her Qualitative Research course. She thought
me the value of qualitative research.
• Dr Sonia Roitman for her invaluable comments and thoughtful criticism;
• Dr Daniel Walker and Dr Ben Jarihani for their help, support, and encouragement in
the time when there was no other person to turn to.
I am particularly grateful to my close friends Zahra Sadeghi, Nasim Khosravi, Shahab
Amupour, Ali Vaezipour, Arash Razani, and Masoud Zanjani for their valuable ideas, ongoing
encouragement and all the energy, support and fun they have brought into this endeavour.
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I would like to express my sincere thanks to the individuals who generously agreed to actively
participate in this projects. Our meetings and conversations taught me much. Without their support
and contribution, this study would not have been completed.
Many thanks for Dr Simone Osborne for her professional editorial services and also her help,
encouragement, and heart-warming comments.
My family has been a perpetual source of unconditional love and support. They believed in
me even when I was in disbelief. I express my immense gratitude to my mother Farideh, my father
Abbas, and my dearest brother Behrang, who have given me so much in life and showered me with
unconditional love and care.
And I wish to dedicate the result of these five years of doctoral studies to my life partner,
Reza, for his endless love, unfailing support, ongoing encouragement and deep humanity that
transgress any borders.
Being aware of the role that the urban planning and design practice plays in shaping the
future, I also dedicate this work to children, the clients of planning…
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Keywords
Social sciences, Public spaces, Urban design and planning, Phenomenology, Production of space,
Middle East, Migrant women, Nightlife, Cultural diversity, Multicultural cities
Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classifications (ANZSRC)
ANZSCR code: 870105 Urban Planning 50%
ANZSCR code: 160403 Social and Cultural Geography 30%
ANZSCR code: 200205 Culture, Gender, Sexuality 20%
Fields of Research (FoR) Classification
FoR code: 1205 Urban and Regional Planning 50%
FoR code: 1604 Human Geography 30%
FoR code: 2002 Cultural Studies, 20%
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Table of Contents
Abstract ........................................................................................................................ i
Acknowledgements..................................................................................................... v
Table of Contents ....................................................................................................... ii
List of Figures ............................................................................................................. v
List of Tables ............................................................................................................. vi
Glossary..................................................................................................................... vii
Preface .......................................................................................................................... i
Chapter 1: Introduction ............................................................................................ 3
1.1 Background of the study ..................................................................................................... 4
1.2 Research questions ............................................................................................................. 7
1.3 Significance of the research ................................................................................................ 8
1.4 Research scope and bounds ................................................................................................ 9
1.5 Dissertation structure ........................................................................................................ 10
Chapter 2: Literature Review ................................................................................. 12
2.1 Understanding of Public/Private Space ............................................................................ 14
Philosophical Understanding of (Public) Space ........................................................... 14
Definition of Public Space and Private Space .............................................................. 17
Necessity of public space ............................................................................................. 20
2.2 Attributes of ‘Good’ Public Spaces .................................................................................. 23
2.3 Place Attachment and Sense of Belonging ....................................................................... 25
2.4 Women and Public Space ................................................................................................. 30
2.5 Middle Eastern Women and Public Space........................................................................ 33
2.6 Immigration and Production of Urban Spaces.................................................................. 37
2.7 Summary........................................................................................................................... 40
Chapter 3: Research Methodology ......................................................................... 42
3.1 Research Methodological Construction ............................................................................ 42
Research Design ........................................................................................................... 42
Phenomenology ............................................................................................................ 46
Research Strategy ......................................................................................................... 46
Overview of the Case study ......................................................................................... 48
3.2 Methods of Collecting Data .............................................................................................. 54
Data needs 54
Available data ......................................................................................................................... 54
Available data; Observation ................................................................................................... 54
Available data ......................................................................................................................... 54
Interviews; Observations ........................................................................................................ 54
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