Public space for all - Pippa Catterall

Have you ever entered a space, a room, a building and felt that you don’t belong there, or that you’re not safe there? For some people, this is a daily occurrence.

Too much public space marginalises rather than includes, whilst safety features are often designed more to protect property than people. The existence of campaigning organisations such as ‘Make Space for Girls’ indicate how much public spaces have not always been designed for all.

So, what makes a space ‘public’? And how can such places be made accessible, safe and welcoming?

Using Bath and Bristol (among others) as examples, Professor Pippa Catterall will explore the nature and history of public space and the kind of interventions that might help to make public spaces work for.

About the speaker

Pippa Catterall is Professor of History and Policy at the University of Westminster. She is a trustee of the Heritage of London Trust, a member of the Valuation Tribunal for England and the founding editor of National Identities. Her current research focuses on heritage, representation and inclusion in public space and recent publications include her co-authored report on Queer Perspectives on Public Space (2024).

Booking information

• Advance booking for this event is required.
• To book tickets, please visit BRLSI’s website. If you have any questions about this event, please email events@rgs.org
• If you require assistance with your booking, please visit BRLSI’s website.
• Society members can book discounted tickets by entering the code RGS50 at checkout.

This event has been organised by the South West regional committee.

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We want everyone to feel welcome at our events. For full details, please visit BRLSI's accessibility page. If you have any questions or specific access requirements, feel free to get in touch with us on access@rgs.org