Internationally and locally the regulation of life in public spaces is increasing. Instead of strengthening social cohesion and togetherness

in the city, a culture of mutual control is promoted. The concept of

the Open City emerged as a reaction to this critical change in values,

which is opposed to an optimistic perspective in which the negotiation

of different uses of space is a sign of urbanity. An open city is not free

of conflict.

This book is a collection of written contributions by Martin Behr, Wolfgang Benedek, Christian Diabl, Sibylle Dienesch, Ruth D. Eggel, Robin Klengel, Astrid Kury, Monika Litscher, Elisabeth Luggauer, Gerlinde Malli, Tobias Morawski, Johanna Rolshoven, Justin Winkler

and Michael Wrentschur.