Between the Lived and the Built: Public Space and Social Appropriation in Tres Palos, Acapulco, Mexico

Abstract

Public space is not limited to its physical form; its meaning is continuously shaped through everyday use, environmental conditions, and the significance people assign to it. In non-metropolitan contexts, it is common for this constant use to coexist with various material limitations. This study aims to analyze how the inhabitants of Tres Palos use, perceive, and appropriate public space, considering both the conditions of the environment and the experiences and meanings constructed through daily life. The research was conducted using a qualitative approach based on field visits, direct observation, and semi-structured interviews. Through these methods, it was possible to recover residents’ experiences and perceptions regarding spaces such as the market, the sports court, and the lagoon. The findings show that the use of public space is not determined solely by its physical condition, but also by the way these places become part of the community’s everyday life. Despite the different shortcomings present in the environment, people continue to use these spaces and adapt their practices to existing conditions. Likewise, the study identified a significant relationship between space and the inhabitants’ sense of identity, particularly in the case of the lagoon. However, this connection is also shaped by concerns related to environmental deterioration, a situation that influences the way people perceive and value this space. Overall, the research suggests that public space is continuously constructed through everyday practices, material conditions, and the meanings that inhabitants attribute to it in their daily experiences.