Urban Geographies of Youth Interaction Spaces

Urban geographies of youth interaction spaces examine the varied environments in which young people meet, socialise and develop identities within cities. This field spans public squares, streetscapes, shopping malls, community centres and digital arenas, recognising that each setting offers distinct affordances for mobility, expression and social cohesion. Research has illuminated how processes such as gentrification, privatisation and securitisation shape access to physical spaces, while the rise of social media and location‐based apps folds digital realms into the urban fabric. Scholars emphasise the importance of everyday practices—from street performances to informal gatherings—for forging a sense of belonging and critical citizenship. Global case studies reveal common tensions: the commodification of leisure, the enclosure of formerly open terrains, and the negotiation of risk and opportunity. Attention to youth narratives underscores the interplay between spatial design, policy interventions and grassroots agency, highlighting practical applications in urban planning, youth outreach and community development. By integrating insights from human geography, urban sociology and media studies, this research area charts the dynamic landscapes where young people claim, contest and transform city spaces.

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Urban Geographies of Youth Interaction Spaces publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in urban geographies of youth interaction spaces across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Gentrification: The process by which urban neighbourhoods are transformed through investment and influx of wealthier residents, often displacing existing communities.

Enclosure: The conversion of formerly open or public spaces into restricted or privately controlled areas.

Digital socialisation: The formation of social ties and cultural identities through online platforms and virtual environments.

Spatial imaginary: The collective ideas and representations through which groups perceive and produce urban spaces.

Place-related identity: The ways in which individuals’ sense of self is shaped by their experiences and attachments to specific locations.

References

1. Places to be young: The dispossession of public space in Old Havana. Urban Studies (2024).
2. Mapeando redes: jovens, territórios digitais e de moradia. Ateliê Geográfico (2023).