Rethinking Public Space for a Sustainable Metropolitan Future
This publication aims to inspire and pave the way for metropolitan spaces in creating better public spaces for all, by providing urban planning tools, processes and recommendations. This initiative, led by the Brussels-Capital Region in collaboration with Medellín, Montreal, Seoul Metropolitan Government and Barcelona Metropolitan Area, aimed to exchange experiences on the future of public metropolitan spaces. These exchanges took place between May and December 2021 and brought together urban practitioners and political leaders. This publication recognises the challenges posed by comparing ten public spaces at varying scales, where concepts have distinct meanings in different contexts. To improve our understanding of urban spaces, both quantitative and qualitative indicators are needed to analyse the success of a public space. Quantitative data helps us understand density and the number of people using a particular public space. However, without qualitative indicators, it would be impossible to truly understand which societal groups are benefitting from public spaces. This study uses qualitative data to analyse public spaces according to their local context. Since complex emergencies, such as the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change, present the greatest threats and opportunities to metropolitan spaces, it is no surprise that most of these public space projects aim to promote human and planetary health. These ten case studies have implemented strategies to reduce CO2 emissions and the heat-island effect and promote active mobility, biodiversity and greener environments for all. Another common element among these case studies is the great emphasis on creating a network between public spaces to create continuity and ensure that all communities have access to liveable and healthy environments and lifestyles, particularly in the context of the pandemic. The ten case studies highlighted in this document aim to provide better public spaces for all, while cultivating happiness and a sense of community. These projects recognise the importance of fostering people’s connection to where they are, to build social resilience. This is why the large majority of these public space projects are going back to basics by implementing practices based on community engagement and focusing on reintroducing nature to the urban landscape. In most of these projects, there is still room for improvement in better reclaiming public spaces for all. This is particularly important as public spaces are not neutral and inequalities are often reproduced in urban public spaces. In future developments, integrating women’s voices and other perspectives and developing an intersectional analysis will be key to transforming public spaces into areas that foster belonging, equality, happiness and autonomy for all, regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, ability, identity or socio-economic status. In turning our attention to the future of public spaces, cities and regions are returning to the essential building blocks of our communities: people, places and nature.
Source :
Temukan peta dengan kualitas terbaik untuk gambar peta indonesia lengkap dengan provinsi.
