scholarly journals Adapting Public Spaces to the Wellness Needs of the Local Community

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (15) ◽  
Author(s):  
Biruta Švagždienė ◽  
Vilius Vaseris
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Research Problem ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Community Research ◽  
Urban Structure ◽  
Physical Form ◽  
Cultural Details ◽  
The Individual

Research problem and relevance. With continuously expanding cities, less space is left for public, open areas. The urban planning is performed with regard to urbanistic elements, however, public spaces do not receive enough attention and creative potential (Piekienė, 2015). Individual’s and state’s political concept of public space changes by virtue of the premise of physical rationality and equality, moral values and the role of nature in modern cities. It is now defined as an urban structure, rather than a physical form of space, which meets not just the physiological needs of the individual, but also the general values of the community. The focus is on the moral, social, cultural details and their combination with physiological needs of an individual. Lately, people have become increasingly concerned about their living or recreational environment, necessity and importance of taking care of their health is no longer in doubt. Therefore, M. Burinskienė (2003) notes the aim to create right conditions that meet the interests of different people in various cities. Thus, in order to create sustainable balance between social, economic and environmental aspects, apart from the development of the physical infrastructure of the city, other aspects should be in focus (Čiegis, Žalevičienė, 2012). Analysis of application of public spaces has revealed that there are many scientific articles about the public spaces and related issues, however, opinions, criticism or discussions on this topic go in the same direction – public spaces are considered as isolated objects, rather than one, closely related system.The aim of the research was to assess the circumstances of adapting public spaces to the wellness needs of the local community on the case of Kaunas. The object of the research was the adaptation of public spaces to the needs of the local community.        Research methodology. The qualitative research was conducted and a semi-structured interview was selected to collect the data using a convenience sampling method: several interviewees were selected from the researchers’ academic environment (university) upon recommendations. The method based on geographical definition was followed when selecting the interviewees. All interviewees study, work and live in Kaunas.Results. The study revealed that the adaptation and accessibility of public spaces for the wellness needs of the local community was still insufficient. Public spaces were not yet directed to even distribution and adaptability and their formation process did not fully satisfy sustainability criteria.Keywords: public space, leisure, community, wellness, adaption.

scholarly journals HOW ARE PUBLIC SPACES SUSTAINING CULTURAL IDENTITIES IN THE CONTEXT OF CHINA’S INCREASINGLY GLOBALLY FOCUSED URBAN DEVELOPMENTS: USING A CASE STUDY OF PUTUO IN SHANGHAI

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 198-205
Author(s):  
Hee Sun (Sunny) Choi
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Urban Development ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Cultural Identities ◽  
Urban Change ◽  
Global Presence ◽  
The City

This paper explores what it means for a public space to embody the city within rapid urban change in contemporary urban development and how a space can accomplish this by embracing the culture of the city, its people and its places, using the particular case of Putuo, Shanghai in China. The paper employs mapping and empirical surveys to learn how the local community use the act of communal dance in everyday public spaces of this neighborhood, and seeks not to find generalizable rules for how humans comprehend a city, but instead to better understand how local inhabitants and their chosen activities can influence their built environment. The findings from this emphasize the importance to identify how public spaces can help to define cities with China’s emerging global presence, whilst addressing the ways in which local needs and perspectives can be preserved.

scholarly journals ENLIVENING THE MOSQUE AS A PUBLIC SPACE FOR SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY OF TRADITIONAL MALAY SETTLEMENTS

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Najiha Jaffar ◽  
Nor Zalina Harun ◽  
Alias Abdullah
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Social Sustainability ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Public Places ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
The Public ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Key Indicators ◽  
Religious Aspects

Public spaces are vital elements of settlement fabrics that animate communities together in one place. Nevertheless, most public places are used for recreational purposes only without building on communal activities, especially in religious aspects. Therefore, to achieve robust social sustainability, this study aims to identify the key indicators for ensuring social sustainability of traditional settlements’ public spaces. This study explores the typologies of public spaces found in traditional settlements that fill the needs of the local community. A mixed methodology was used to map and observe the public spaces and the communal activities held in two traditional Malay settlements in Kuala Terengganu. The bulk of the data were randomly collected from 400 residents by using a questionnaire survey to identify the most relevant factors that influence social sustainability. The results show that mosques have been listed as the highest preference of public space in the two sampled settlements. The study outlines three key qualities that lead the community to choose the mosque as the most important public space: 1) convenient access, 2) comfortable and clean, and 3) social aspects. This paper concludes on how these findings contribute to the improvement of quality of life, social interaction and social cohesion to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) globally.

scholarly journals EMERGING CHALLENGES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CONTEMPORARY PUBLIC SPACES IN URBAN NEIGHBOURHOODS

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajjan Man Chitrakar ◽  
Douglas C Baker ◽  
Mirko Guaralda
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Urban Governance ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Social Space ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
Space Management ◽  
Urban Neighbourhoods ◽  
Modern Cities ◽  
Geographical Regions

The lack of management has led to the degrading quality of public space in modern cities around the globe. Contemporary public spaces are facing challenges in terms of maintaining them as a “social space” so that they are accessible and functional for the users. Using Kathmandu as a case study, this paper explores the challenges the contemporary public spaces within urban neighbourhoods are facing in their management. The study reveals that the regulation of use is a major concern of public space management in the new neighbourhoods of Kathmandu as evident in the limited accessibility and utility of public space, due to control and commercialisation. The use of public space has also been affected by the lack of regular maintenance. The root cause of these problems lies in weak urban governance at the neighbourhood level, which has led the local community-based organisations to take a role in neighbourhood management. These findings confirm that the management of public space is a critical issue of urban development with commonalities existing across geographical regions that demand adequate consideration from the stakeholders.

scholarly journals Sustainable urban structures to challenge climate change

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emil CREANGA ◽  
Maria DUDA
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Urban Form ◽  
Private Investment ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Urban Structure ◽  
Urban Structures ◽  
Modern Development ◽  
The City

Public spaces within the city in all their form of different types - streets, boulevards, squares, plazas, market places, green areas - are the backbone of cities. Over the centuries buildings defined the shape and quality of public spaces, valorising them in various ways. The post-modern development of urban form generated a great number of “urban spaces”, where there is no longer correspondence between architectural forms and social and political messages: shopping malls and theme parks, inner public spaces, strip developments etc. Urban sprawl accompanied by loss of agricultural/rural land and its impact on the environment are serious concerns for most cities over Europe. To strike the right balance between inner city regeneration, under-use of urban land in the old abandoned sites and the ecological benefits that accompany the new private business initiatives in suburban areas, is one of the major challenges confronting cities in Europe. The paper will analyze the complex relations between architecture and public space, in an attempt to understand how traditional urban structures, public and green spaces, squares and streets, could provide orientation for quality-oriented regeneration. Case in point is Bucharest - capital city of Romania - where aggressive intervention in the urban structure during the 1980s disrupted the fabric of the city. The investigation is oriented towards fundamental questions such as: how to secure and preserve sites that serve as initial points in upgrading processes, how to balance private investment criteria and the quality interests of the urban communities.The major aim is to provide a support for decision making in restoring the fundamental role of public urban space in shaping urban form and supporting community life.

scholarly journals Participatory Budgeting as a Method for Improving Public Spaces in Major Polish Cities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Szczepańska ◽  
M. Zagroba ◽  
K. Pietrzyk
Keyword(s):  
Civic Engagement ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Voter Turnout ◽  
Community Involvement ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Local Governance ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Governance System

AbstractOne of the forms of public participation in the local governance system is civic budgeting which actively engages residents in developing projects and voting on the submitted proposals. Civic budgeting aims to involve local communities in deciding how a defined portion of public resources should be allocated by means of a democratic debate. Public spaces are the essence of urban life; therefore, the aim of the study was to analyze civic budget records relating to public spaces. The study was conducted in the largest Polish cities. The research involved quantitative and comparative analytical methods. The analysis focused on community involvement and local community needs, represented by a wide array of public space-related project categories. The analyzed cities were ranked according to their civic engagement, and the resulting classification was compared with voter turnout during polls on the proposals adopted as part of the CB process. The results revealed considerable diversity in both civic engagement and local needs, and they could be used to develop guidelines for designing public spaces in the urban planning process. The present findings are also a valuable source of information for local governments in their efforts to improve the functioning, attractiveness and development of user-friendly spaces in citizen-oriented cities.

Public Space Networks as A Support for Urban Diversity

2012 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 15-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Júlia Pinto ◽  
Antoni Remesar
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Urban Structure ◽  
Cultural Dynamics ◽  
Planning And Design ◽  
Space Networks ◽  
Morphologic Characteristics ◽  
Physical Form ◽  
Urban Territories ◽  
The City

In the planning and design processes, the urban territories frequently face problems related to the lack of cohesion, not only regarding the morphological fragmentation but also fragilities of social and economic dynamics. The proposed concept of urban cohesion involves these two dimensions – the physical form of the city and the city's socio-economic and socio-cultural dynamics. In introducing this concept our aim is to focus on the idea that public spaces play a fundamental role in those processes, understanding that they are organised in a systematic way. This means that public space is structured in a cohesive system on different territorial scales within the city, forming a "network of networks". Intending to contribute to the strengthening of urban cohesion, the study proposes a method capable of assessing public space networks in terms of their cohesion, not only within the urban structure of the neighbourhood, but also their links to the surrounding networks. This method assumes that the city is formed by diverse territories due to several reasons. Firstly, due to their specific history and genesis, secondly, due to their morphologic characteristics, and thirdly, because of their socio-economic and socio-cultural features. This leads to the key principle that the city is the place of diversity par excellence, and that it is this diversity that gives the city its own character and distinguishes it from other territories. Two cases in the city of Barcelona are analysed. The neighbourhood of Barceloneta, a historic quarter outside the city walls that is now part of its consolidated urban fabric, and the Baró de Viver neighbourhood, an area that can still be considered peripheral to the city.

scholarly journals Incorporating Form-Based Codes into the Design-Based Approach to Historic Building Conservation in Phuket, Thailand

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 3859
Author(s):  
Kanokwan Masuwan ◽  
Pusit Lertwattanaruk
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Urban Planning ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Open Space ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Spatial Relationship ◽  
Historic Districts ◽  
Physical Form ◽  
Building Form ◽  
Relationship Of

In Thailand, the concept and measurement of urban planning rely on conventional zoning, which includes land use, building usage, and open space ratio. Conventional zoning focuses on both the growth of buildings in terms of physical dimensions and their usability in lowland areas. The guidelines and measures used in urban planning do not reflect the spatial relationship of the community, as they have a less detailed design and place no emphasis on the identity of the district. Urban planning might not protect the sense of any given place, as it often uses a one-size-fits-all plan that is then applied to whole communities. Form-Based Codes (FBCs) are urban planning tools that are used to maximize land use, benefit the public, focus on creating a specific physical form, and design the development and public spaces in a way that matches the community’s vision. FBCs are the result of the cooperation between stakeholders, architects, urban planners, government agencies, and members of the local community who are willing to create a plan for their public space and to preserve the physical characteristics of the city. In this paper, we aimed to understand the relationship between various historical contexts and the FBCs using the case study of Phuket’s old town, which has a fusion of Sino–Portuguese architecture. Building form standards suitable for Phuket’s old town were created by comparing them to a baseline case that uses existing codes and regulations and using the FBCs’ components. FBCs have the potential to enhance the character and vibrancy of the historic area by improving façade design and preserving the sense of place and community pride. The results support the hypothesis that FBCs are able to supplement conventional zoning in historic districts. Recommendations for a local historic preservation commission and communities that are considering the adoption of FBCs for historic resources and districts are provided.

scholarly journals Socio-Spatial Changes in Danwei Neighbourhoods: A Case Study of the AMS Danwei Compound in Hefei, China

Urban Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Nanqi Ye ◽  
Michihiro Kita ◽  
Shigeki Matsubara ◽  
Seth Asare Okyere ◽  
Motoki Shimoda
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Local Community ◽  
National Level ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Urban Housing ◽  
Local Planning ◽  
Urban Neighbourhoods ◽  
Spatial Changes ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Compact Design

This paper analysed socio-spatial changes in old urban neighbourhoods (Danwei compounds) in Chinese cities as a result of two major national level reforms: the Reform and Opening Up and the Urban Housing reform in 1978 and 1997, respectively. Existing research indicates fundamental changes have taken place in the political, economic and social aspects of Danwei compounds. However, there is a paucity of research on micro-level changes. To understand how these reforms have affected the social-spatial schema of Danwei Compounds, the study utilised mapping, key person interviews and field observation in AMS compound, Hefei city of Anhui province. This paper compared the AMS Danwei Compound before and after the reforms in terms of public spaces, building features and compound management. The study found that the AMS Danwei Compound has experienced a significant reduction in public space, an increase in building density and a reconfiguration of compound management actors. The study suggests the need for local planning authorities and government to pay attention to planning and design of the old city core by emphasising improvement in public spaces, attention to compact design principles for urban neighbourhood planning, and establishment of local community management body.

scholarly journals STOA – Centru de Cultură Urbană

2018 ◽  
pp. 273-286
Author(s):  
Vlăduț Cătălin Nicolae ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Informal Education ◽  
Continuous Process ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
The People ◽  
Common Interests ◽  
The Common ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Suitable Framework

Personal development is a complex, continuous process that comes in unique forms, personalized by the personal searches and interests of every human being. In order to further his own development and to tap into the intimate background of his aspirations, man will make use of the various methods at his disposal, informal methods, most of the time. Architecture should support this development process for the individual as well as for society, because the wider picture may suggest that one of the answers to the problems of public spaces in our time resides in the cultivation of the personal essence and in the way it can interact and generate reactions in others. Maybe a strong community does not depend on just the common interests of certain people, but on supporting and accepting all interests, even if different. Perhaps public space should not only create functions but also situations, not dictate clearly the destinations, but favour the various scenarios that come with each user, leaving some of the answers to the people. Maintaining the possibility of architectural indeterminacy is a necessary and important step in truly engaging people with each other and with the space they are in. With informal education as instrument and with a suitable framework, public spaces relevant to the community can be created.

scholarly journals INTERDISCIPLINARITY, DESIGN THINKING, AND INNOVATION IN PUBLIC SPACES: A TEACHING EXPERIENCE IN FLORIANOPOLIS BOTANICAL GARDEN PARK.

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Collier de Mendonça ◽  
Eduardo Trauer ◽  
Richard Perassi Luiz de Sousa ◽  
Eduardo Costa
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Design Thinking ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Research Problem ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Botanical Garden ◽  
Interdisciplinary Studies ◽  
Study Guide ◽  
Complex Problems

Abstract:Innovation of public spaces requires dense management efforts. Interdisciplinary studies must be conducted to raise needs of stakeholders. Then, potentialities, problems, and opportunities are explored. These works require interdisciplinary knowledge to carry out a broad analysis of the social, technological, economic, environmental, political, and legal spheres to understand influencing factors in the management of such spaces. In this context, one important challenge faced by professors is to promote the development of strategic skills among students. This work has arisen from the specific need of designing an active learning method, to motivate business administration undergraduate students to think strategically while dealing with complex problems. To achieve the objectives of the course – Change Management and Business Consulting –, we have created a nine steps study guide based on design thinking. Our proposal is to reflect upon key learning outcomes provided by this teaching experience. We argue that future managers need to learn how to explore, and frame problems before solving them, since the highest risk they might encounter is to misdiagnose complex problems. The paper is structured into five sections. The introduction describes the research problem and the object of study. The second section presents theoretical references, which integrates authors and concepts from different management fields. The methodological section explains how design thinking was applied, by describing each step of the experience. It has followed a study guide developed for the exploration of Florianopolis Botanical Garden Park, combining fieldwork visits with in-class lectures and debates. Next, we present results and learning in three subtopics: conceptual aspects, related to the purpose of the studied space; infrastructural needs and management challenges. To conclude, we indicate possible ways of exploring this public space, and also recommend the development of future didactic experiences with similar scopes. Keywords: interdisciplinarity, design thinking, knowledge management, innovation, public spaces. 

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document