How to Meet the City – Urban Spaces for Friendly Encounters (original) (raw)

As urbanists, we observe public spaces every day with an eye toward their purpose; we critically gauge their facilities, features and sociocultural connotations. Are they used on a frequent basis? Do people rest, do they gather, do they linger, do they mingle? Is there any social interaction? Do these places contribute to an objective sense of well-being, welcoming those who temporarily reside there? Do they replace a piece of nature? In comparison to closed architectural structures which are reserved for private or semi private use, public spaces have the important role of hosting a wide range of people from different social and cultural backgrounds. While architecture usually predicts its type of use, open space has the potential of being unpredictable and can trigger dynamics within its urban framework that greatly influence the way a city is perceived. In order to obtain a positive result when transforming an open space, we have to focus on those who use the space on a daily bas...