Abstract
This paper explores the process by which lived experience of public space decline and associated narratives of loss affected futures thinking around public space in the city of Portsmouth, UK. In this paper, we reflect on our methodological approach which sought to explore existing public space imaginaries in the city through investigating small story narratives and idealised public space futures of the local community through focus group workshops and interviews. Despite a future-oriented focus and provision of creative tools, emerging narratives of loss, hopelessness and resignation dominated public space discussions and constrained collaborative construction of public space ideals. Lived experience of public space decline and exposure to negative social media content appeared to foster nostalgic thinking and inhibit participants’ sense of agency over local public spaces, impacting futures thinking. However, we identify this process of constrained thinking as part of a broader creative process through which participants were able to collectively come to terms with the past and present before actively addressing the future.
•Explores public space ideals through imagined futures and small story narratives.•Identifies effect of public space decline associated loss with futures thinking.•Recognises link between loss, resignation and perceived lack of agency.•Highlights alternate creative process for overcoming affective barriers.