Rights to Public Space

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The book explores the impact of public space on gentrification, highlighting how everyday behaviors in places like sidewalks and parks contribute to neighborhood legitimacy for newcomers while undermining long-term residents. Through an ethnographic study of Denver's Highland neighborhood, it reveals the conflicts between cultural interpretations of public behavior and municipal regulations. The research shows that changes in urban design and enforcement can alienate longtime residents, creating a disconnect between their rights and the evolving norms of public space.