Lefebvre & Space - Portfolio Task 5

In 300-400 words, use Lefebvre's Spatial Triad (above) to conduct a critical reading of one social space in or around Leeds.

Leeds Train Station is the busiest social space I could think of in Leeds. Everyday thousands of people commute to or through Leeds. In 2008/9, Leeds was the busiest railway station in the North of England and the third busiest in the United Kingdom outside London, after Birmingham New Street and Glasgow Central. According to Network Rail, which manages the station, over 36.8 million people use the station annually.

In Lefebvre's Spatial Triad, he refers to 'Representations of Space' about basically how the place is set out. Like I have said the train station is very busy a lot of the time so there is a lot of space, with shops around the edge and cash machines on the walls. So people can easily get through the station but could stop at a shop to get lunch for work for example. There is also a pub and a Wetherspoons as the train station is a good place to meet people (especially if you have come in on different trains) also a good place to start a night out. There are 3 or 4 rows of benches in the main building with more on the different platforms, so that you don't have to stand to wait for your train. I'm guessing the plans for the train station were like they were for function and practicality. People get to Leeds and then get connecting trains, so the shops like WHSmiths are widely known and can get magazines and sweets/food for your journey. Also there are a few fast food shops which works with people coming and going so fast, or waiting around as well.

Lefebvre also mentions 'Practice' in relation to the space this is the places daily routine and urban reality. As I have said hundreds of people pass through the station everyday. Some of these people its an everyday routine where as some people just to visit Leeds. This also links to the 'Representational space' people meeting other people, friends + family on holiday or coming home from holiday. Some people it will be a place that sparks memories where as to others it will just be 'some place' they pass through everyday.