The Role of Space and Time Use Behaviors in Shaping the Incivility Experience of Young People

Abstract

Space can be considered as one of the important qualitative determinants of time-use. In this study, it is aimed to deal with the complex interactions between space and time-use through a survey on the urban youth in Ankara. This study also aims to underline the impact of space and time dimensions on the way that urban youth perceive and experience incivilities.The issue of (in)civility was analyzed with the help of experiences and perceptions of young people on a street. Sakarya Street, which has been a pedestrian area for 40 years, was selected as the case of this research.The field survey combined observations and interviews with a sample of 82 young people. The role of time/space interaction on uncivil behaviors was analyzed considering variations of daily and seasonal use of time. The qualitative evaluation, which was supported by statistical analyses, indicated that the physical and social environments of the street context and young people's relationships with that context are influential on their patterns of street use and time use behaviors as well as perception and experience of incivility. It was found that Sakarya was attributed as more dangerous, terrifying, unsafe and avoidable place during evenings and nights due to its deserted appearance, reduced visibility and presence of unconforming groups of individuals. Furthermore, gender differences among urban youth seemed to be influential on attributing evening and nights as more dangerous and avoidable time periods.