International Social Science Journal (Chinese Edition)

No.1, 2019

The actions in space: the spaces in the courtyards and adjustments to the social relations in the Dashilar area(Abstract)

Li A’lin

Space is shaped by social relations and the means through which social relations are reproduced. According to the idea and with the methodology of Sociology of Action, the author went into the old blocks in the Dashilar area to investigate in the interventions through the changes of the relations between courtyard spaces and residents, and those between residents and the government. The study describes three practices of adjustments to the spaces in the courtyards: 1) building incubator of voluntary organisations; 2) renovation of No. 53 Courtyard in Baishun Lane, with residents as subjects; 3) renovation of No.15 Courtyard in Peizhi Lane, by applying for subsidies and with help from the governments. Through adjustments to different social relations, the three practices try to: 1) coordinate neighbours’ interests in the public spaces; 2) adjust the relations between the public and the private in courtyards; 3) rebuild residents’ self-organisations and neighbourhood. Three practices face different difficulties and show the direction for future actions.