Uses and appropriation of public spaces by the foreign population. The case of Madrid

The importance of public spaces as central elements in cities is because these areas are seen as places of human relation, social gathering and exchange, where groups with different interests converge.

Through the study of both the differentiation of types of usage and the intensity of the relationships that take place in these public spaces by individuals based on their nationality (Spanish / foreign), provides a differentiated position between these groups in the analyzed scenarios. On the other hand, analysis of greater freedom of action and the self-management capacity of these spaces in the case of foreigners and the "passivity" of the group formed by the locals in the areas analyzed.

To achieve this goal, four public spaces in Madrid (Plaza deTirso de Molina in the neighborhood of Embajadores, Plaza de Olavide in the neighborhood of Trafalgar, San Diego Boulevard Bridge Vallecas and Pinazo Square of San Cristobal de los Angeles ) are thoroughly analyzed through qualitative research techniques such as observation and in depth interviews.

The results obtained show the existence of certain features associated with the appropriation of public spaces by the foreign population in both quantitative (intensity of relationships) and qualitative (types of usage of the space) through differentiated participation strategies in the spaces by the different groups that were analyzed.