摘要：There is little agreement as to the precise meaning of
public space in the scientific debate see Staeheli &
Mitchell 2007). The Babylonian confusion surround
ing this concept Selle 2008) stems from at least three
causes: First, there is no clear distinction between the
terms public space and public sphere. Second, public
space is a normatively loaded term Belina 2005),
which in research not seldom clouds analytical vision
of the construction processes of public spaces. And
third, there is currently no consensus on the direction
of the changing function of public spaces. In the fol
lowing, a closer look is taken at these three aspects.
The contributions in this special issue are then intro
duced and positioned within the context of the discus
sion.
