Public space and urban quality

Abstract

Despite  having  manifested  themselves in  different  forms,  ways  and  times  in the  different  places  around  the  world,  all   the   substantial   transformations,   that  our  cities  and  metropolitan  areas  have undergone, share one aspect: the fundamental   importance   of   public space.  This  is  particularly  evident  in  European   cities,   which  have   always   been represented by the spaces for collective  life:  the  piazza,  the  street,  gardens and parks. Unlike what occurs in the  confused  labyrinths  of  the  world’s  great megalopolises, public space continues to be an essential touchstone in the  suburbs  and  peri-urban  areas  of  European  cities,  a  fundamental  social  catalyst  that meets  needs  of  use  and  perception, as well as cultural, semantic,   environmental,   ecosystem,   construction and material needs.