Public spaces are those areas in the public realm that provide a public use or recreation function, such

as parks, plazas and street spaces.

Public spaces are generally located on publicly held land, are accessible to everyone and are
managed and maintained by councils or other public agencies. Some privately held land provides for
controlled public access and use as a public space, such as a building forecourt, a walk-through, a
shopping mall or a communal open space. Public spaces are created as part of a land subdivision or
by reallocation of land uses in existing urban areas.

Public spaces accommodate a diversity of activities, and provide interest and amenity for people.
Critical factors for successful public spaces are their location, size, dimensions and the interfaces
with adjacent properties, the paths and arrangement of activities within the space. The area
surrounding public spaces also influences how they are used and perceived. A functional system of
public spaces offers direct connections to the surrounding pedestrian network and includes through-
paths.

Why is it important?
Public spaces are essential for the wellbeing of everyone in a community. They provide opportunity
for relaxation, recreation and socialising, and contribute to a neighbourhood's local character and
sense of place. Active, safe and enjoyable public spaces draw people to them.

More than a third of the urban land area is public space, mostly streets. Green spaces such as parks
make up the second largest component of public space. Street spaces, plazas, forecourts and squares
provide for regular and chance social encounters. Parks and green spaces provide opportunities to
relax, participate in active recreation and experience nature. Semi-public and communal open spaces,
such as courtyards in apartment buildings, hospitals and education facilities, provide for casual
interaction and recreation

They must have a variety of seating options and several seating areas. And they

need to be green—not only under the canopy of a tree, but also on the ground plan.

Thus, you genuinely experience a sense of health in your surroundings. Parks and other

open spaces offer chances to relax, engage in active recreation, and spend time in

nature. Courtyards in apartment complexes, hospitals, and educational institutions are

examples of semi-public and communal open areas that allow for informal interaction

and recreation.