This document summarises a study looking at the use and development of public space. It argues that greater understanding is needed of the diverse motivations, needs and resources that shape capacity and desire to use public spaces. With this in mind, the researchers identify ten broad types of users of public space as well as ten hubs of public life. Drawing on these, the research develops a number of principles for increasing the public use and value of public, private and civic spaces as well as suggesting ways of putting these principles into action.

This study is the first in a programme of work aiming to improve understanding of how people use public spaces.

A qualitative study based on three British cities which included:

'Public space' should not be defined by aesthetics or ownership rather by whether it can provide a shared space for a diverse activities created by a range of people. In theory, any place offers this potential.

Spaces that support sharing cannot be created by designers and architects alone. Public space works best when it is 'co-produced' by the people who control or manage the space and those who use it; only then can it fulfil its democratic promise.

Policies which foster social behaviour might do more to create shared spaces and increase interaction in public spaces than regulating anti-social behaviour.

Joseph Rowntree Foundation
publications@jrf.org.uk

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//2005

Melissa Mean and Charlie Tims of Demos

research

Urban Policy > Transport and infrastructure > Services & amenities

Public space