Public Space Theory and Design

Course content

Public spaces are key to livable and lively cities as they provide possibilities to bring people together, create sense of community and reflect the city`s identity and culture. However, they are constantly threatened by temporary or permanent closures or avoidance due to fear or anxiety resulting from rapid urban development, global socio-economic pressures, and localized inequalities. From the perspective of the social dimensions of urban planning and design, this course focuses on the critical role public spaces play in fostering inclusion, diversity, and healthy living in cities. The course is structured around three main modules: the theory of public space, examined through the historical evolution ofthe concept ofthe `public sphere` and analyzed from an urbanist perspective; real-world case studies, focusing on diverse public spaces such as squares, streets, and parks; and praxis, featuring a hands-on student workshop that integrates the simultaneous teaching of contemporary ethnographic and participatory research methods.Discussions will address themes of social infrastructure, urban migration, multiculturalism, alongside the design of spaces that support well-being, play, intergenerational interaction, and above all the democratization of their accessibility