𝟭𝟬 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 p𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 p𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 s𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 p𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

Because great cities don’t just happen they’re shaped by the spaces between the buildings.

What makes a city feel alive?

It’s not just the skyscrapers or highways. It’s the laughter in the parks, the energy in the plazas, the quiet moments by a fountain, the impromptu concerts, the people gathering under the open sky. Public spaces are where cities breathe.

These spaces do far more than fill gaps between buildings. They:

✅ Elevate our everyday quality of life
✅ Create bonds between strangers and friends
✅ Spark curiosity in visitors and tourists
✅ Power local businesses and entrepreneurship
✅ Raise the value of surrounding neighborhoods

More than that they shape the soul of a city.

Think about Central Park in New York. Over 42 million people walk its paths each year. It’s not just a park; it’s a living symbol of the city itself.

But here’s the challenge:

As urban land becomes more expensive, public spaces are increasingly under pressure—often the first to be compromised in the name of profit or practicality.

The result? Cities that are dense but disconnected. Modern but soulless.

That’s why every square meter matters more than ever.

We can’t afford to build parks that nobody uses, or plazas that sit empty. We need smarter, more intentional design spaces that welcome, adapt, and evolve.

So, what does it take to get it right?

Here are 10 essential principles every city planner, architect, and community leader should hold close:

1️⃣ Accessibility & Inclusivity – Spaces for everyone, regardless of age, ability, or background.
2️⃣ Community-Driven Design – Let locals co-create. They know what their neighborhoods need.
3️⃣ Green & Adaptive – Climate-resilient spaces that cool, clean, and comfort.
4️⃣ Flexible Spaces – A plaza can be a market today, a concert stage tomorrow.
5️⃣ Safety & Comfort – Lighting, shade, seating the basics that invite people to linger.
6️⃣ Cultural Relevance – Design that reflects local history, stories, and identity.
7️⃣ Connectivity – Well-placed public spaces become vital nodes in the urban web.
8️⃣ Playfulness & Joy – Don’t underestimate fun. Swings, games, surprises they matter.
9️⃣ Human Scale – Design with people in mind, not just vehicles or buildings.
🔟 Ongoing Stewardship – Beautiful spaces need care, love, and community ownership.

How to use these principles:

Transform existing spaces — Even small changes can bring big impact.
Design new spaces smarter — Embed these principles from the start.

Public spaces are not luxuries. They are investments in civic life, resilience, and equity.
Let’s design cities that invite us to pause, connect, and thrive together.

source :

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ali-assadi_10-essential-principles-for-public-space-activity-7313199179734904832-mkSj?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAtGGkQBsxwMBmX3lEJO8btihnfBCaHqTz4