ABSTRACT
The chapter examines the gaze as a social and relational force that shapes belonging, exclusion, and identity in urban life. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork and interviews in Marseille and Helsinki, it explores how being seen – and interpreted – by others influences people’s sense of place and legitimacy in public space. The analysis focuses on forms of visual interaction such as eye contact, gaze, and staring, showing how these everyday encounters relate to the experience of belonging and the formation of identity. It also highlights how different forms of visual interaction affect diverse people’s opportunities to act in public space in the city and what kind of strategies do people apply to avoid becoming targets of disturbing and discriminating gaze and negative attention. Ultimately, the chapter argues that the politics of looking plays a significant role in producing urban space, revealing broader social inequalities and shaping people’s ability to exercise their right to the city.
