The changing publicness of urban spaces

Abstract

Public spaces have long been the main element of the urban structure.However, the social and spatial configuration of the contemporary city haveradically altered the role of public space and inherent public sphere in the set ofurban dynamics. Privatization schemes have created new arenas for public life,distorting the traditional urban public spaces. Still, there needs to be a way tocharacterize public spaces. This paper will set the framework for a new form ofevaluating a spaces publicness, forging the path for a more accurate andcomprehensive understanding of these spaces dynamics. This will allow a betterassessment of the features that constitute a successful urban space and how thepublic can experience and take advantage of it, contributing to redefine thepublic/private paradigm.