Public space design principles

• Principles for public space design and planning are essential for optimizing urban areas

Overarching Principles

• Focus on strategic planning for the development of public spaces.
• Detailed considerations for evaluating the quality of public space design.
• Acknowledge that public spaces come in various forms, collectively enriching urban experiences.
• Public spaces deserve careful consideration for their delivery and regulation.

Public Space Diversity

• Public spaces range from informal street corners to grand civic spaces and encompass traditional squares to incidental urban spaces.
• Public spaces have evolved since the 1980s, becoming key in regeneration and development schemes.
• Well-designed public spaces yield economic, social, and environmental benefits.

London Research

• Research conducted in London informs a set of rules for planning and design considerations.
• Normative principles for public space stem from research and aim to re-theorize public space discourse.
• London-wide mapping included new and regenerated public spaces constructed between 1980 and 2012.
• Gathered stakeholder narratives, user interviews, time-lapse observations, and policy documents.

Planning for Public Spaces

• Planners play a critical role in creating and shaping public spaces by initiating projects and regulating development.
• Strategic decision-making framework is vital for public space.
• The private sector designs and delivers new public spaces and is responsible for their stewardship.
• Planning serves as the gateway for testing the public interest in public space design and management.

Key Factors for Consideration

• Processes through which public spaces evolve and interactions with planning and regulation.
• Types of public spaces that should be provided, and their locations.
• Rights and responsibilities for public spaces should be safeguarded for the long term.
• The process of design should be understood before focusing on desired outcomes.

Evolving Public Space

• Physical form should distinguish public spaces from their surroundings.
• Enclosure, with buildings and landscape creating distinct places, provides the sense of place.
• Planners must collaborate with developers and other stakeholders.

Informal Spaces

• Successful informal spaces reclaim small street parcels or repurpose spaces.
• Temporary use rights grant new character and purpose to spaces.
• Changes to Trafalgar Square demonstrate evolving historic squares.
• Planning inputs are vital, requiring flexibility and awareness of public sector agencies.

Regulation Forms for Creating Public Spaces

• Planning controls to sanction new public space proposals.
• Highways orders focus on changes to highways.
• Listed building consents for changes to historic built fabric.
• Street trading licensing for proposals involving selling goods or services in public space.

Coordination for Optimizing Public Spaces

• Planning has a vital coordinating function among actors to ensure policies are in harmony to optimize outcomes.
• The principle of cities and public spaces for all is fundamental, supporting diversity and difference.
• Public spaces take on different flavors based on the interests that create them.
• Public spaces is important for planners to recognize legitimate diversity and avoid one-size-fits-all aspirations.

Green Spaces

• Public spaces can be planned strategically to cater to all community sections.
• Spaces should be safe, convenient, and avoid conflicts between users.
• Planning should focus on diversity of provision rather than a homogenized vision.

Free Public Space

• Discussions focus on ownership and management, with concerns about privatization.
• Empirical research shows that public spaces are owned, managed, and used through complex arrangements.
• Restrictions apply to all spaces, regardless of ownership.
• Spaces should be open, unrestricted, and free.
• Guaranteed freedoms are best established by setting out rights and responsibilities for users and owners.

Problems with Management

• Problems occur when owners exclude groups.
• Restrictions on access/behaviors can undermine freedoms for public space users.

Municipalities

• Municipalities might consider adopting a Charter for Public Space Rights and Responsibilities.
• Beyond strategic considerations, planners often guard new public spaces.
• Existing spaces are regenerated through plans, ordinances, frameworks, and policies.

Factors for Public Spaces

• Clear delineation from private spaces is crucial for accessibility.
• Surrounding uses contribute to engaging places.
• Meaningful amenities and features enhance spaces.
• Maximize potential for a positive social environment.
• Balance vehicles, pedestrians, and other users.
• Spaces should foster safe and relaxing use.
• Adaptability to changing demands while maintaining distinctiveness.

Delineated Public Space

• Clear public/private boundaries are necessary.
• Public spaces should appear welcoming and accessible.
• Private relaxation spaces should remain distinct.
• The careful demarcation represents a fundamental quality of good urbanism.