Designing public space in urban surroundings – for the benefit of the people

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By definition, public space is any readily accessible space, particularly out in the open, including streets, greens, parks and squares, forestland and waters, belonging to a local community or city council which is in charge of maintaining it. Squares and parks play an important role in people’s lives across the world, not least because they are central to social life. After much open space was lost in the course of the twentieth century with the advent of the car and the necessity to create an infrastructure to accommodate vehicle traffic, in recent years urban planners have shifted their focus on how to design public space in the context of growing urbanisation. Bold mobility and construction concepts and the (re-) designing of parks and squares add life and soul to city centres, making them more attractive. Cleverly planned public space improves people’s quality of life as neighbours are given venues where they can communicate. On the whole, urban planning has re-focused on catering for people’s actual needs and wishes.
How do you plan a square or a park to make it attractive and functional? It will always take in a number of factors – resulting from what you know about the surroundings and the infrastructure, traffic flows and needs of the people you’re reaching out for – and a clear objective for a plan and creative design.
High-quality public space is like an oasis where people enjoy spending time. It’s perfectly embedded into its context, easy to reach, safe and clean. Active zones like playgrounds, seating or event areas bring people together and support bonds within the community. Set inside attractive shopping areas with beautiful stores and cafés, public space can become an extension of people’s homes.