The understanding of place,
non-place and space can very well be done using our insight and knowledge. We
can begin by describing how the analyst described space. Upon a broader
perspective space can be seen as a junction and an interweavement of mobile
bodies. Place has been described as something which is relational, historical
and concerned with identity. Space is more abstract in itself than place, which
is used to refer towards, a myth, an event or history. On the other hand
non-place being the exact opposite of place, something cannot be related to, and
doesn’t have connections towards history and identity.
Time has crafted and carved out its own ways in cities and upon the urban
fabric, super modernity has caused the large increase of non-places, causing
lack of integration into the existing places. The world has submitted to the
singular individuality. Equivalent aspects are present upon discussion of place
or non-place. Place and non-place are present in a very strange relationship,
while the former tries to retain its essence by not being completely diminished,
the latter trying its utmost best to be perfectly present.
Distinction between the two, place and non-place, derives from the opposition
between place and spaces. Space as a word itself is used frantically for meeting
rooms, auditoriums, parks, gardens, aircrafts, cars, expresses directly towards
the concept of individuality which is prevailing. Non-place can also been seen
as an absence of place itself. We can directly apply all this analysis done by
Micheal de Certeau to the city of Lahore. He goes on to say that non-place adds
negative quality to space, which causes absence of place from its own self.
This can be seen in direct relation with the Azaadi Chowk as a non-place adding
upon the silhouette of Badshahi Mosque as a place. The non-place has added
negative quantification to space. Micheal de Certeau enumerates further, that
proper names impose coming from the other, the names appearing cause diversion
in sense that they cannot be predicted in advance, they cause the creation of
non-places, turning into just passages. This again can be seen in context of our
own city, after the renaming of the underpasses, an example of Jinnah Hospital
Underpass turning into Chakar-e-Azam Rind underpass consequences to the same
outcome. What seem non-places to individuals may not seem non-places to the
government due to super modernity.
Places do still continue to resettle themselves, its relation with non-places
are restored and resumed. Elements of spectacle are requisite for history to
prevail. Commercialism has caused the world of consumerism, which has caused
every individual to make his own. Places and spaces, places and non-places are
all in a state of entanglement. Borrowing from Kevin Lynch landmarks are those
areas where people share and commemorate. By the passage of time, and through
the amalgamation of old and new can be seen through modernity, whereas super
modernity has caused places to be viewed from a specific spectacle, due to the
creation of non-places.