scholarly journals A Quality Assessment Directory for Evaluating Multi-functional Public Spaces

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 136-151
Author(s):  
M. Salim Ferwati ◽  
Ali Keyvanfar ◽  
Arezou Shafaghat ◽  
Omar Ferwati
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Space Design ◽  
The Social ◽  
Life Impact ◽  
Definition Of

Abstract Public spaces facilitate opportunities for social interaction and promote social life. The social-spatial complexity of public spaces can be explored through the relationship between built forms and users’ daily social activities. The contemporary needs of users have retrofitted or replaced the controversial public spaces such as streets, depriving the prime function of sustaining and facilitating social life. Thus, any factors influencing users’ social/public life impact the quality of public spaces. Also, contextualization and definition of public spaces necessitate an evaluation of their quality. The lack of a quality assessment directory (QAD) for evaluating multi-functional public spaces motivated us to address it. To achieve the aim, this research has conducted a systematic literature review applying the content analysis to explore the principles and indicators influencing and enhancing social interactions in multi-functional public space design and then performed a normalization analysis to measure the weight of each indicator. The QAD constitutes five criteria (C1 – Inclusiveness, C2 – Desirable activities, C3 – Comfort, C4 – Safety, C5 – Pleasurability), and forty-two (42) embedded sub-criteria. The research found that Inclusiveness (Wn C1 = 4.38) and Pleasurability (Wn C2 = 3.88) have received the highest weights. Also, the research found that the sub-criteria ‘Physical/visual connection or openness to adjacent spaces’ (Wn Sc.4.1 = 1.00), ‘Users of diverse ages’ and ‘Community gathering third places’ (Wn = 0.750) have received the highest weights. Using such a QAD, urban professionals can quantify the effectiveness and efficiency of public spaces’ environmental and physical qualities in promoting social interactions and sociability.

scholarly journals Shared Spaces in Cities of Poland

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrzej Zalewski
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Urban Centers ◽  
Shared Spaces ◽  
Traffic Calming ◽  
Shared Space

The aim of paper is a presentation an idea of shared space in the cities and results of implementation of this solution in the cities of Poland. The methodology of elaboration consisted of carrying out a review of the literature, comparing existing solutions and formulating conclusions regarding implementation. This trend, which has appeared over the past 50 years as a counterbalance to the pedestrianization of public spaces, is at the beginning of the 21st century experiencing its second youth and is being implemented in many areas in intensive urban development, especially in urban centers and areas of historic character. Shared space solutions are an integral way of shaping functions and forms of revitalized public spaces. These solutions contributes to improving the quality of public space and traffic safety, revitalizing social life, improving and reducing the environmental nuisance caused by traffic and finally created liveable city. Analyzes effectuated indicate, that in central areas of cities in Poland whose spatial arrangement is legally protected, the forms of shared spaces solutions are strongly influenced by strong conservation restrictions in these areas. This means the need  to respect existing historical conditions in shaping public spaces, as well as limited transformation possibilities. The Polish solutions of shared spaces presented in this paper of in their forms and quality do not differ from the standard functional solutions abroad. Solutions implemented in the Polish conditions, however, are more modest in terms of materials and implemented in a smaller number than is the case in Western European countries. Keywords: Shared spaces, Traffic calming, Cities of Poland, Creation of public space

scholarly journals Features of urban public spaces in the context of globalization

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 232-246
Author(s):  
K. L. Khomyakova
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Urban Public Space ◽  
Modern Cities ◽  
The Social ◽  
Essential Properties ◽  
Methodological Problems ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Impact

The article deals with characteristics of urban public spaces, their role in the global transformation of the social relations system is determined. The ambiguity of assessing the impact of globalization on modern cities is due to the theoretical and methodological problems of modern sociological urbanism. There is no single approach among scientists to defining the concept of urban public space, which determines the relevance of the study of its interpretation and definition of essential properties. Public spaces are considered as a connecting element between the system and social levels of urban research, which correspond to the levels of integration identified by the modern sociologist E. Giddens. The article analyzes classical and modern approaches to the study of public space, there is reveals the course of evolution of sociological thought in relation to the formation of differentiation of types of spaces within cities. Based on the analysis of the works of modern sociologists and urbanists, such key features of public spaces as openness, socio-political neutrality, and symbolism were identified. Global processes and contradictions lead to an aggravation of the problem of the presence of the category of “Others” within public urban spaces, which are representatives of various segments of the population, with a variety of claims and interests. One of the consequences of the intensive development of digital technologies is a possible situation of “competition for the citizen” between traditional public spaces and online services. Assumptions are made about future transformations of social relations within public spaces as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

scholarly journals Conviviality as a Spatial Planning Goal for Public Open Spaces

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 4382-4387
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Modern Democracy ◽  
Open Spaces ◽  
The Social ◽  
Human Tendency ◽  
Public Open Spaces

Conviviality is a popular concept in urban design while referring to the good qualities of public spaces. This concept is the need for current times when social life in physical public spaces is declining away largely to forces like social media and the virtual world. The human tendency to feel satisfied and happy exists in existence with others. The social media has taken away the role that established Greek agora as the first centre of public interaction which initiated the concepts of modern democracy. Where popular public spaces have big roles to perform, the small public spaces in the neighbourhood and markets perform an important role to stage the everyday local nuisance in people's life. Even If public space is satisfactory enough to take away the loneliness and boredom of everyday course of modern living a lot can be achieved. Conviviality is one such factor which helps to elevate the satisfaction of spending time with others. This paper is an attempt to understand conviviality and relate it to public open spaces from the physical planning point of view.

scholarly journals Public Wi-Fi

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Alex Lambert ◽  
Scott McQuire ◽  
Nikos Papastergiardis
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Cultural Institutions ◽  
Social Good ◽  
City Councils ◽  
The Social ◽  
Large Scale Networks

Public Wi-Fi services are rolling out across Australia, with city councils and telcos building large-scale networks in urban areas. Questions as to the value of public Wi-Fi have never been more significant in the Australian context. In this article we explore how free Wi-Fi services offered by cultural institutions and municipalities influence public spaces, and ask how such services can engender practices which promote the social good. Drawing on ethnographic research into six Wi-Fi equipped spaces in Victoria, we find a variety of issues which influence whether a service will be popular and hence have a significant influence on public space. Services which are popular enable a range of uses, and this can add to the appeal and atmosphere of a space. However, Wi-Fi has yet to truly facilitate the kind of social interactions and rich civic placemaking we associate with the social good.

scholarly journals A typological classification of neighbourhood public open spaces: A case study of Novi Grad - Podgorica

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-121
Author(s):  
Miroslava Vujadinovic
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Open Space ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Spatial Form ◽  
Open Spaces ◽  
Space Design ◽  
Collective Housing ◽  
The Relationship

This paper examines the relationship between urban public space and everyday social life, as well as the forms of social interaction as patterns of use of public spaces in collective housing neighbourhoods. Urbanity issues are manifested both at social level by population alienation from the social surroundings, by the lack of joint activities and stay in the neighbourhood public open areas, as well as at physical level, by the lack of the area vitality and security, and neglect. The analysis of the neighborhood spatial form determinants is represented by the universally applicable typology based on spatial and sociological theories about the relationship of urban space and social processes, applicable to areas that generate patterns of people encounters and gatherings. Understanding the relation between human behaviors through the capacity of neighborhood open space contributes to the quality of the open spaces design and especially to enhancing the vitality of the city public spaces. The purpose of this paper is to obtain scientifically based approach to the public space design in a view of its use that may be beneficial to urban planners in the process of urban space regeneration.

Social Cohesion of Lower Silesia Region in the Period 2005–2015 – Measurement and Evaluation of Changes

2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 437-455
Author(s):  
Marek Walesiak ◽  
Marek Obrębalski
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Social Stratification ◽  
Council Of Europe ◽  
The Social ◽  
New Strategy ◽  
Measurement And Evaluation ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Lower Silesia

The measure of developmental success of contemporary regions and at the same time supporting factor for the durability of this success is primarily the quality of life of residents. According to the definition of the Council of Europe (A new strategy for Social Cohesion, 2004, p. 3) social cohesion is the ability of territorial communities to ensure the welfare of all its members, the reduction of social stratification and avoid polarization. According to evaluation of the social cohesion of the Lower Silesia region in cross-counties in the years 2005–2015 the variables of the following areas: income and economic activity of the population, living conditions of the population and the availability of services and public space were taken into account. To assess the measurement and the changes in the level of social cohesion of the Lower Silesia region in cross counties in the period 2005–2015 GDM1 distance and Theil measure were applied.

Urban acupuncture – ephemeral arrangements of space

BUILDER ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 284 (3) ◽  
pp. 44-47
Author(s):  
Piotr Marek Wesołowski
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Technological Progress ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Modern Cities ◽  
New Concepts ◽  
New Ideas ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Space Architecture ◽  
Theoretical Reflection

Development of modern cities, technological progress, reising pace of life, fast-changing fashion and increasing needs of society make the offered urban solutions lose their relevance relatively shortly after their introduction forcing to search for new concepts. In response to those changes, multifunctional, mobile spatial forms are proposed, often with direct possibility of makeing changes. They have been called 'injections' of new ideas and qualities and fall within the definition of 'urban acupuncture'. Usually, the short lifetime of such objects determines cheap, easy to apply solutions. These are ephemeral forms: temporary, short-lived, corresponding to the needs of a specific place at a specific moment. Temporary actions are a form of provocation, it forces you to look at a known place from a different perspective. These types of interventions are aimed to improve or suggesting of the necessity to improve the quality of existing public space, architecture and its health. Text is based on analysis of documents: available scientific studies, documented examples of architectural and artistic solutions, as well as comments and observations relating to these realizations. Submitting this topic to theoretical reflection is aimed to draw attention to selected issues linking architecture with art in the context of 'city acupuncture', understood as spatial realizations and intervention projects in 'sick' areas of architecture. The text discusses the characteristics of temporary architecture and art in public spaces in the context of revitalization activities.

scholarly journals From Pedestrian Thoroughfare to Public Space: The Social Life of the Esplanade Underpass

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hoa Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Physical Space ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Interesting Case ◽  
The Social ◽  
And Control

This study examines the Esplanade Underpass, an underground thoroughfare in Singapore that supports a range of public users and uses, despite not being a formally planned or officially designated public space. The Esplanade Underpass serves as an interesting case study as most public spaces in Singapore are zoned and governed by regulations of various kinds. The Esplanade Underpass, however, is minimally subject to these forms of surveillance and control. This research asks: What are the characteristics of the Esplanade Underpass that set it apart from the narrative of order and control often imposed upon public spaces in Singapore?” Through participant observation and interviews, the study investigates the users and uses of the Underpass. The study reveals how a range of users of the Underpass adapt the physical space for various uses, consequently establishing a series of informal social norms. Through varied habitual uses, the Underpass has been transformed from a place of transit into a meaningful public space which possesses a vibrant social life. The study highlights the nuances of social engagement that can work to make spaces “public” and offers a novel understanding of informally formed public space in Singapore.

Pop-Up Planning

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon C.C. Douglas
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Aesthetic Experience ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Cultural Value ◽  
Space Design ◽  
Creative Placemaking ◽  
Tactical Urbanism ◽  
Social Environmental ◽  
Public Space Design

Chapter 6 looks at the world of official urban planning and placemaking, providing different perspectives on its relationship to DIY urbanism. Through the voices of professional planners, the chapter explores their conflicted opinions on DIY approaches: criticizing their informality and emphasizing the importance of regulations and accountability for everything from basic functionality to social equity, yet sympathetic to do-it-yourselfers’ frustrations and often excited to adopt their tactics, harness their energy, and exploit their cultural value. The chapter then describes how some DIY projects have found pathways to formal adoption and inspired popular “tactical urbanism” and “creative placemaking” approaches to public space design. Many such interventions can result in innovative public spaces with social, environmental, and economic benefits. But the reproduction of an aesthetic experience selectively inspired by a hip grassroots trend and combined with “creative class” values can mark the resulting spaces themselves as elite and exclusionary.

scholarly journals Three Strategies for Describing Social Interactions of Adolescents in a Multicultural Environment—Indicators for the Quality of Life Research

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 8166
Author(s):  
Alicja Szerląg ◽  
Arkadiusz Urbanek ◽  
Kamila Gandecka
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Life Assessment ◽  
Multicultural Environment ◽  
Multicultural Community ◽  
The Social

Background: The analysis has involved social interactions in a multicultural environment. The social context has been defined by the Vilnius region (Lithuania), where national, religious, and cultural differences exist across generations (multicultural community). The space of “social relationships”, as one of the modules of the WHO quality of life assessment, has been studied. An innovation of the research has been related to the analysis of the phenomenon of community of nationalities and cultures as a predictor of quality of life (QoL). The social motive of the research has been the historical continuity (for centuries) of the construction of the Vilnius cultural borderland. Here, the local community evolves from a group of many cultures to an intercultural community. Interpreting the data, therefore, requires a long perspective (a few generations) to understand the quality of relationships. We see social interactions and strategies for building them as a potential for social QoL in multicultural environments. Methods: The research has been conducted on a sample of 374 respondents, including Poles (172), Lithuanians (133), and Russians (69). A diagnostic poll has been used. The respondents were adolescents (15–16 years). The research answers the question: What variables form the interaction strategies of adolescents in a multicultural environment? The findings relate to interpreting the social interactions of adolescents within the boundaries of their living environment. The description of the social relations of adolescents provides an opportunity to implement the findings for further research on QoL. Results: An innovative outcome of the research is the analysis of 3 interaction strategies (attachment to national identification, intercultural dialogue, and multicultural community building) as a background for interpreting QoL in a multicultural environment. Their understanding is a useful knowledge for QoL researchers. The data analysis has taken into account cultural and generational (historical) sensitivities. Therefore, the team studying the data has consisted of researchers and residents of the Vilnius region. We used the interaction strategies of adolescents to describe the category of “social relationships” in nationally and culturally diverse settings.

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