Statue and Other Sitting Areas

 Rules:

  • Eating allowed 
  • No vandalism 
  • Use as an easily recognizable meet up place 
  • Be respectful of others depending on noise level and crowdedness
  • Chat and lounge space rather than a place for physical activities

Discussion: 


 The set of rules for the statue and concrete sitting areas is important because it demonstrates what is considered to be socially acceptable in these areas. The area serves as a meeting point, and as a place to casually interact with others and eat. Along with general College Green rules, it is understood to not vandalize or disrespect the statue and surrounding areas, as well as being respectful to people in the area. Individuals are able to go to the statue  and stay, creating a spatial claim of the space.

The rules are expressed by those who go to the statue on College Green. Individuals can see students eating or having a conversation with their peers. The statue is not a heavily populated area and most people don’t take up a large space with their belongings, allowing others to join the area if they choose. Individuals sitting in the area also express how being loud is not typical for the location because most people speak at a respectful volume and do not draw attention to themselves by creating a lot of noise. 


The statue serves as a meeting point for people because it is an easily identifiable feature of campus, similar to other recognizable landmarks. The Spatial Justice article mentions how spatial claims include the right to be safe regardless of aspects that create one's identity, “To us spatial claims also include rights to be safe in space regardless of gender, race, sexual-orientation, and other aspects of identity.” The statue serves as a place where interaction between individuals and the physical space is understood to be respectful. The article also discusses spatial links and The right to access and connect. “Spatial justice is integrally linked to whether a place has access to critical public infrastructures and services. Can residents get to jobs with accessible public transportation? Is healthy, affordable food available nearby? are there spaces to play and gather? is there public access to water and water- fronts?” With College Green right in the middle of campus and so close to Court Street it offers many opportunities and resources for those in Athens. “When spatial links are torn out, blocked or divested, residents lose connection with the rest of the city or the larger ecology, and spaces become cut off and left behind” Without College Green there wouldn’t be a common or comfortable place that offered all these things and would talk away from the sense of togetherness it has created for everyone that walks the bricks. 












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