From Confrontation to Concession: Reconfiguring Public Space Through Public Square Dancing

Public square dancing (PSD), a popular form of social dance, has captivated the hearts of older Chinese citizens and has become a widespread social phenomenon in China. Supporters argue that PSD has brought many positive effects to its members and urban areas, while critics believe it has caused various spatial and social problems within society. Drawing on research conducted within PSD groups in Huai’an City, it uncovers critical insights into the mechanisms that foster dynamism in PSD and investigates the ways in which individuals construct collective behaviour and social relations in public spaces. It redefines public space not merely as a physical container but as a socially contested and constructed domain where social relations and elderly activities intersect. PSD functions as a response to the needs of senior citizens while also acting as a catalyst for reimagining the relationship between PSD members and other users of public space.