Definition and Introduction

of Public Space
Public Space in Traditional and Unusual Forms
Week 2
"In a Society becoming steadily more privatized with private homes, cars,
computers, offices and shopping centers, the public component of our lives is
disappearing. It is more and more important to make the cities inviting, so we
can meet our fellow citizens face to face and experience directly through our
senses. Public life in good quality public spaces is an important part of a
democratic life and a full life.”

Jan Gehl, Danish Architect and Public Space Researcher

Public Space

• Public space is a place that is physically open (or accessible) to the public,
and without payment.
• Public Space is where social interaction and perception, urban recreation,
and the sensory experience of city life take place.
Project for Public Spaces
What do we do in urban public spaces?

• Walking
• Eating/Drinking
• Socializing with family or others
• People-watching
• Reading
• Commercial activity
• Playing games
• Kids’ play
What do we do in public spaces?

Recreational Activities
• Active Recreation refers to a structured individual or team activity that
requires the use of special facilities, courses, fields, or equipment.
Examples are baseball, football, soccer, tennis, and skateboarding.
• Passive Recreation refers to non-consumptive uses such as wildlife
observation, walking, biking, camping, climbing, and canoeing. They do not
require prepared facilities like sports fields or pavilions. Passive recreational
activities place minimal stress on a site’s resources; as a result, they can
provide ecosystem service benefits and are highly compatible with natural
resource protection.
Benefits of Creating Good Public Spaces

Public Spaces:
• support local economies
• Attract business investments
• Attract tourism
• Provide cultural opportunities
• Encourage volunteerism
• Reduce crime
• Improve pedestrian safety
• Increase use of public transportation
• Improve public health
• Improve the environment
• enhance the social life of communities.
• provide sense of attachments and sense of community
Project for Public Spaces
Characteristics of a Good Public Space

• Promotes human contact and social activities.

• Is safe, welcoming, and accommodating for all users.
• Has design and architectural features that are visually interesting.
• Promotes community involvement.
• Reflects the local culture or history.
• Relates well to bordering uses.
• Is well maintained.
• Has a unique or special character.
American Planning Association
Categorizing Public Sapce

Form
Accessibility
Function
Ownership
Based on Form:
• Open Space: a space without
borders or limitation around it
Closed Space
• Closed Space: a space that is
surrounded certain design elements or
built elements
• Semi-closed Space: a space that
includes some limitations or borders

Open Space Semi-closed Space

Based on Accessibility:
• Static Space: a space without
heavy pedestrian traffic
• Dynamic Space: a space that is Static Space
associated with commercial zones
with heavy pedestrian traffic and
flow
• Continuous space: a space that
allows people to pass through.

Continuous Space Dynamic Space

Based on Function and
Ownership:
• Open Public Space: a space
that is open to all and used for
daily use and programmed
activities Private Space
• Semi-public Space: a space that
is used for a particular kind of
activity and open to all
• Private Space: a space that is
owned by private entities and not
open to all

Open Public Space Semi-public Space

• Traditional Public Spaces: These are public spaces we have used to see in
our everyday life such as parks, squares, and playgrounds. These kinds of
places require capital investment, vacant land, and ongoing maintenance
from the city government or city resources.

• New Kinds of Public Spaces: These are public spaces that emerged to the
response to the difficulties in creating and maintaining traditional public
spaces. These kinds of places do not require capital investment, vacant
land, and ongoing maintenance from the city government or city
resources.
 Traditional Public Spaces (Open Spaces)

Waterfronts Parks Green Areas

Sports Areas Playgrounds

 Traditional Public Spaces

Plazas Squares Streets

 Venice, Italy

Waterfronts

Riverside Park, New York City

 Hyde Park, London

Parks

Central Park, New York City

 Büyük Park, İzmir

Green Areas

Bryant Park, New York City

Sports Areas
Playgrounds
 Main Market Square, Krakow

Squares

Tiananmen Square, Pekin

 The Grand Place, Brüksel

Plazas

Plaza Mayor, Madrid

Next Week: Public Space and Public Life