Abstract

This research explores the symbolic production of space by applying Lefebvre’s concept of “representational space” to park users’ urban imaginary about the site. The aim is to identify the extent to which people support cultural and religious expression when designing urban spaces that are more inclusive for religious minorities. This article focuses on responses from urban planners, Muslims, and non-Muslims to one question from face-to-face interviews that asked: “What do you think about applying Islamic design principles to the green open space next to the mosque?” The design principles were introduced to the participants through discussion and presentation of images. Interviews were conducted in a public park located next to a mosque in Melbourne, Australia. The results suggest that participants make distinctions between culture and religion when discussing their views of appropriate representations of diversity in public space. For non-Anglo-European representations in public space e.g., buildings or design elements, participants tended to prefer the presence of multiple cultures, rather than one culture. The representation of one culture in public space, was viewed as “dominating” the landscape.