In this course, we will explore the multifaceted relationship between space and politics. We will delve into the complex and intertwined nature of space and power, examining how spaces become politicized and how politics shape spaces. We will question how spaces transform into arenas of political action and conflict, and conversely, how political forces produce, eliminate, reorganize, occupy, manipulate, and alter the use of spaces. Ultimately, our primary focus will be on democracy. We seek to understand how democracy, as the true essence of politics, interacts with space. Can we conceptualize the idea of democratizing space or a spatial form of democracy? What about the distinction between democratic and non-democratic spaces? We contend that the possibility of politics, synonymous with democracy, is inherently linked to the creation of democratic spaces and the development of spatial democracy. Throughout the course, we will strive to clarify the meaning of these concepts and their interconnections.
