Psarra, S; Capillé, C; (2016) Disciplined Informality: assembling un-programmed spatial practices in three public libraries in Medellin. In: Proceedings of the 10th International Space Syntax Symposium (SSS10). Space Syntax Laboratory, The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL (University College London): London, UK.

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Abstract

Medellín's Library-Parks were built with the main purpose of strengthening the sense of community of each library's surrounding neighbourhoods. In addition to 'original' programmes of public libraries, these buildings organise cultural events and meetings for sharing ideas and practices. Great importance is given to the generation of informal interactions in the libraries, and to the networks that are constructed by these interactions. Interactions are programmed (events organised by the libraries but also un-programmed based on random encounters, which generate emergent social networks. However, despite the intention to support 'community emancipation' through informal networks, the organisational structure of the libraries may control such unprogrammed formations through institutional rules for organisation of behaviours. In fact, even if there are no official intentions for social control, the mere presence of staff means that human activities may be observed and informal networks affected. This leads to an implicit form of control that can be more pervasive than overt control based on predefined behavioural rules. Understanding the tensions behind the organisational aims built upon the desire to enable informal interactions leading to self-organised social groups and at the same time define institutional rules that discipline society-is the main topic of this paper. In particular, we look at three cases-San Javier, Fernando Botero and Belén libraries-focusing on how observed informal interactions associate with the libraries' organisational control. Rather than looking at these social practices as rates of activity, which is the normal research practice in studies of space and activity using space syntax, we develop a method to address them as socio-spatial network elements. This approach reveals phenomena that would not be made visible otherwise: that is, of the ways in which the Library-Parks structure informal interactions potentially supporting the development of self-organised social groups and at the same time define institutional rules that discipline society. It is found that the three buildings work in significantly different ways, despite their similar programme. In San Javier, space is used as the instrument of tactics of disciplinary control, particularly through controlling thresholds of communication between different user clusters and through constant surveillance of each cluster. In turn, Fernando Botero becomes a network where clusters of users are linearly linked by 'transition spaces' that work as bridges. Different clusters are separated with sharp programmatic boundaries, excluding unpredicted mixing of activities and making knowledge remain internal to the group. It is argued that empowering space and society to be generative rather than conservative can be achieved less by predicting the use of space and more by providing socio-spatial conditions that allow unpredictability to flourish. In this sense, we propose that environments such as Belén Library-Park support the formation of self-organised social groups. Structured on a core community of clusters of informal interactions, this building can be an exemplar in terms of constructing social awareness that surpasses the limits established by the Library-Parks Programme-both in spatial and transpatial dimensions.

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