Exploring the vireal: A qualitative framework for urban youth and public space in a digitally mediated world

Abstract

This article presents a qualitative methodological framework for exploring global socio-technological innovation in urban youth’s appropriation of public space. The proposed framework attempts to provide a heuristic approach for urban and youth studies scholars to better understand urban youth as key actors in the hybridisation of urban public space, without forgetting that access to and need for public space is not equally shared. Addressing gaps in intersectional youth studies and public space research, we propose a flexible, transdisciplinary approach based on intersectionality, starting questions and methodological principles. Designed to be flexible and adaptable to varying urban contexts, the proposed framework requires only minimal consensus on core concepts such as relational space and youthhood as a relational, intersectional category. Its main aim is to encourage collaboration between geographically diverse research teams to stimulate future studies on socio-technological changes in the appropriation of public space by youth around the world.