CHAPTER 3: PLANNING OF PUBLIC AND LIVELY PLACES
3.2 Defining public and lively places
3.2.1 Creating a public place
When planning for a ‗public place‘, the concepts should first be defined and distinguished separately and the important difference between a mere ‗space‘ and a ‗place‘ within lively place planning and place- making should be noted.
Harrison & Dourish, (1996:67) gives a clear and distinct difference between space and place when they refer to ‗space‘ as the structural, geometrical qualities of a physical environment, whereas place refers to a concept that (other than a mere structural and geometrical space), includes the dimension of lived experience, interaction and use of a space by its inhabitants.
The definition of ‗public‘ is very broad and inclusive, but for the sake of understanding this concept and for future reference within the dissertation, the meaning will be clarified.
As mentioned above, a ‗place‘ is a space including dimensions of lived experience, interaction and use by inhabitants. These inhabitants can be defined or referred to as the ―public‖, placing the focus and departure of lively places on public grounds; being inclusive for all and open to a wide range of user groups (Hobart City Council, 2011:1)
According to the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (LDCE, 2003:1543), the term ―public‖
includes a wide range of user groups and contributes by referring to public as basically any human reference such as ‗ordinary people‘, ‗for anyone‘ and ‗place with a lot of people‘.
Based on the acknowledgements made by Loudier and Dubois (2001:1), a public space can therefore be seen or act as a meeting space, space for debate, controversy, discussion - in short: where democracy takes place, contributing to the necessary social cohesion and the forging of social and
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political bonds. This definition is further substantiated by PPS (2011:2) referring to a public space as a secure and distinctive space which functions for the people who use them.
It is also a space that is accessible to all and that everyone is able to use. As mentioned in the previous definition of ―public‖, a public space should therefore belong to the public and includes all spaces to which the public has access (i.e. collective spaces such as spaces between buildings, shopping centers, stations, etc.) (Loudier & Dubois, 2001:2).
The clarity on ―public‖ and the difference between ―space‖ and ―place‖ therefore lead us to the defining or adoption of the term ―public place‖ as a space that is transformed into a place where all people can successfully work, play and socialize within a secure and distinctive environment (Philips, 2010:8).
Based on the definition and description of the term ‗public place‘, it is important to note the following figure (Figure 5: Factors of successful public places) displaying important factors regarding and needed in the creation of public places:
Table 9: Factors of successful public places
FACTOR DESCRIPTION OF SUCCESSFUL PUBLIC SPACE
Identity Historically, public spaces were the centres of communities; traditionally they helped shape the identity of entire cities with their image.
Attractions Great public spaces have a variety of smaller ―places‖ within them that appeal to various people. Functions create attractions.
Amenities A public space should feature amenities that make it comfortable for people to use. A good amenity will help establish social interaction.
Flexibility The use of a public space naturally changes during the day, week, and year and should respond to natural fluctuations. Flexibility needs to be built in at the outset.
Seasonal Successful public spaces need more than one design which can change with the seasons.
Adaptive usage.
Access A civic destination needs to be easily accessible, including crosswalks, lights timed for pedestrians, slow moving traffic and proper signage.
Visibility The elements within space should be visible from a distance, and ground floor activity of buildings surrounding it should entice pedestrians to move.
Source: Adopted from Baltimore City Department of Planning (2010:170)
By including these factors in space planning, people-driven aspects and factors of lived experience become included and incorporated, thus the planning and creating of public places. Worpole and Knox (2007:9) support the concept of specific elements needed in the planning of public places and
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correspond with Baltimore City Department of Planning‘s (2012:170) elements with the inclusion of features such as access and availability (including good physical and welcoming spaces as well as extended opening hours); having features that attract visitors to the site (i.e. attractions and amenities as identified by Baltimore City Department of Planning‘s (2012:170)); and avoiding over-regulation of design and space, as security and well-being are likely to rather grow out of active and flexible uses ( refer to the element of flexibility as listed in Figure 5) (Worpole & Knox, 2007:9).
Other main features also included in or identified by Worpole and Knox‘s (2007:9) definition of successful social and/or public places include
invitations by peers and others – embedded in social networks to encourage use, also supported by Hobart City Council (2011:1) mentioning the importance of creating invitations for a wider range of user groups;
an exchange-based relationship in which the use of the space moves beyond traditional consumerism usage but rather move to participation regarding the exchange of goods and services;
choreography of spaces by discreet and good management whilst still leaving room for self- organisation by the community and the people; and
The concept of moving beyond the presence of, or focus on mono-cultures and rather encouraging diverse groups and various activities to be shared within these common public spaces.
Loudier and Dubois (2001:6) further support and strengthen the importance of certain elements by also including the following ―town planning principles‖ contributing to lively and successful public places.
These substantiate the above-mentioned authors‘ elements and features identified, by similarly including the following ‗basic rules‘:
1) Visibility
2) Legibility
3) Reinforcement of territoriality
4) Natural surveillance
5) Socialising, activities
6) Presence of site managers
7) Natural access control
8) Contribution of landscaping
These principles strongly correspond (and therefore their applicability and relevance are substantiated) with basic principles as mentioned in Redbook (CSIR, 2000:248) including surveillance and visibility;
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territoriality and defensible space; access and escape routes; image and aesthetics; and target hardening. As stated regarding the elements identified by Baltimore City Department of Planning‘s (2012:170), the above-mentioned features need to be incorporated in the development and planning of spaces in order to create a successful public place for all.
The following serve as visual representations and examples of the practical implementation of these planning principles:
Table 10: Visual examples of planning principles
Visibility – entrances and buildings to be clearly visible (CSIR, 2000:252).
Legibility – clear and definite marking of private, semi- public and public spaces through planting and pavement (Loudier & Dubois, 2001:29).
Reinforcement of territoriality – barriers identifying different functions and use (Loudier
& Dubois, 2001:13).
Natural surveillance – balconies overlooking the picnic area provide a natural surveillance (Loudier & Dubois, 2001:28).
Socialising, activities (Loudier & Dubois, 2001:20).
Presence of site managers (CSIR, 2000:249).
Chapter 3: Planning of public and lively places Page 68 Natural access control – creating of thresholds
or building entrances facing the street (Loudier
& Dubois, 2001:19).
Contribution of landscaping – not too many trees, shrubs and other landscaping features, but selective and maintained features to ensure visibility (CSIR, 2000:249).
Source: Own creation based on Loudier & Dubois (2001) and CSIR (2000).
As an overall inclusion and summary of these attributes and features regarding public place planning, Figure 2 (place-making elements) should be consulted. In order for these creations of ‗public places‘ to be diverted into and referred to as great public places, these places should simultaneously include the above-mentioned elements and features of successful public places and they should be characterized by the four key attributes including access and linkages, comfort and image, uses and activities, as well as sociability (Cilliers et al., 2012:18).
Not only will spaces including these factors and elements be regarded as successful public places, but these inclusions will offer better interest and stimulation as well as a degree of comfort (Holland et al., 2007:6) and a high degree of attractiveness (Soholt, 2004:28). It is still important to note that even beautifully designed public spaces (or contributory landscaping as identified by Loudier and Dubois (2001:6)) can be placed in the wrong location with poor connections to retailing, transport and public amenities where it will remain unused and empty (Worpole & Knox, 2007:11), therefore a mere space with no public realm in order to contribute to public place-making. In order to create truly successful public places, it is therefore not merely the aesthetic beauty of the space, but the integration and appropriateness of the functions and accesses that are important.
It is therefore important to include local communities and residents when planning for and creating successful public places, in order to create a sense of place and connectedness within a given space (Cowan et al., 2006?:24).