Occupation Dynamics and Resistance of Homeless People in Public Spaces

Abstract

The aim of this article was to analyse the processes involving control, conflict and removal of homeless people from urban public spaces in the city of Cadiz. The physical and social context of the research refers to the social field, a competitive social space with different positions and hierarchies that produce power inequalities. The field work was conducted at two points of the city to compare differences and similarities in terms of the dynamics of the field of conflict. The methodology involved participant observation and informal interviews. The results reflect differences in power and resources between authorities, neighbours and other actors in disputes over space and homeless people with meagre means. The conclusion is that the field has developed into a fight to make homeless people visible and secure recognition and right, in response to the tendency to render the problem invisible and make it disappear from public space.