Public Realm

Urban Planning

1. PUBLIC REALM
Subject: Urban PlanningSem: 09 Group 05BhagwanMahavir College of Architecture, Surat

2. PUBLIC REALM
•Publicrealmisallareasoftheurbanfabrictowhichthepublichaveaccess.Itiswhere
physicalinteractiontakesplacebetweenpeople.Ittherefore,includesbuildingsand
theirdesign,streets,squaresandparks,fromsignageandstreetfurnituretothe
microclimate
•Publicspace/realmisdefinedasspacethatissharedcommunallybythepublic.
•Publicspaceisintimatelylinkedtotheideasofuniversalaccess,thecommonground,
andsharedamenities.
•Examplesincludeparks,plazas,pedestrianpathways,andstreets,indoorspacessuchas
atriums,shoppingcentres,andcommunitycentres.
•The public realm belongs to everyone. It comprises public urban spaces and other
outdoor places that require no key to access them and are available, without charge
for everyone to use.
•Public spaces should not be seen in isolation but in the context of its adjacent
buildings, their uses and its location in a wider network of public and private space.
•The three key elements that influence the public realm are:
•The buildings that enclose and define the space;
•The space itself; and
•The people that inhabit the public realm and the way
•they use the space.

3. AIM OF PUBLIC REALM
•Essentiallythepublicrealmisaplacefor
individualstocometogetherasa
communityandexperiencetheplace
•Thiscanoccurinsuchawaywherethe
userofthepublicrealmiseitherdirectly
orindirectlyparticipatinginthepubliclife
•Publicspaceisintegraltotheconceptof
liveabilityandthesocial,economicand
environmentalviabilityofcommunities
•Planninganddesignofthepublic
realmoftenexcludestheenduser
therebycreatinginappropriateand
meaninglessspaces.
•Ananalysisofformandfunction
throughuse,accessandperceptionis
usefulintermsofplanningfora
liveableenvironmentthatisvaluedby
thelocaland surrounding
communities

4. THERE ARE FIVE IDENTIFIED TYPES OF
PUBLIC SPACES
•CORPORATESPACES
•DOMESTICSPACES
•CONSUMPTION SPACES
•CIVICSPACES
•IN-BETWEENSPACES

5. CORPORATE SPACES
•Corporatespacesareusuallyprivately
ownedspacescharacterisedbythe
corporateentitieswhichboundthem.
•Thesespacesarepredominantlyusedby
workersofthesurroundingcorporations,
butmayhostotherusergroupstemporarily.
Distinguishingcharacteristics:
•Corporatespacesarecommonlycreatedby
commercialdevelopers.
•Theyareusedprimarilybyoffice
workersformeetingcolleagues,
smokingandlunchbreaks.
•Impressivearchitecture,highquality
materials,andPublicart.
•Visiblesecurityandeffectivemaintenanceof
thespace
•Promotionofretail&commercialactivities
Examples:
•Hotellobbies/foyers,Shoppingmall,food
court,Airportterminal,officeparksquare,
universitysquaresetc.

6. Challenges:
•Un-integratedspacescanappeartocreate
alevelofconflictandcompetitionbetween
permanentfixedretailandinformalmarket
vendorsinstalls.
•Providingshelterorshadetocreateamore
comfortablepedestrianexperience.
•Provisionofsiteamenities,
landscapingandstreetfurniturefor
pedestrians
•Flexibilityandadaptabilityofthespace
•Contextualrelationshipsofthespaceand
thesite
•Commercialisation/homogenisationand
exclusivityofspace.
CORPORATE SPACES
•Omnipresentsecurityintimidate
andportrayafeelingof
unwelcometowardsvisitorsof
corporatespaces.
•Extendeduseofspacenot
alwaysencourageddueto
dominantownership.
•DuetoBranding,corporate
spacesfrequentlyusesimilar
designstylesandmaterials.This
canleadtohomogeneity.
•Visualaccessibilityisnotalways
visible.

7. CORPORATE SPACES
•Corporatespacesshouldprovidea
safeareathathasenoughcapacityto
accommodate theextremesof
pedestriantraffic.
•Adequatelightingandsecurity
•Corporatespacesshouldprovidea
comfortableareathatiswelcoming,inviting
andinclusive.
•landscapingandpublicart
•Wellestablishedmanagementregime
•Useofhighqualitymaterials
•Provisionofretailspaceandbranding
Designrequirements
•Vibrancy,safetyandcomfort
•Provisionoffurnitureandshade
•Accessibility,Diversity,Flexibleandadaptive
•Shoppingunitsandfoodcourts
•Passiveandactiverecreation.
•Creatinga‘transitionaryzone’betweenthe
retailvenuesandthepublicrealmhelps
increasetheactivefrontage
•Effectivepedestriancirculationandstall
groupings.

8. •Architects: 3deluxe
•Location: Kaunas, Lithuania
•Area: 30000m²
•Year: 2020
V-Plaza
•ThisiscertainlythenewnowinKaunas,a
cityinLithuaniawhich,withthehelpof
3deluxe,hasbroughttolifeafuture-
orientedarchitecturalconceptthatsetsnew
impulsesandisgearedtowardsthe
communicativeneedsofayoungand
dynamicgeneration.
•Thehistory-steeped“UnitySquare”withits
impressivebuildingsfromdifferenterashas
beenredesignedtoreflecttheinnovative
spiritofacountryconsideredtobea
pioneerofdigitization.
•Theextraordinarydesignsetsoffthe
extensivefaçadestobrightandcheerful
effect,createsmodernworkspaces,and
usesorganicallyshapedgreenspaces,
curvedpathways,seatinglevels,andthe
latesttechnologytotransformthespaceinto
inspiringterrainwithanurbanambiance.

9. Therealchallengewas
topreservecultural
heritagewhilecreating
space forsocial
transformation.Andthe
solutionwasinnovative
architecturethatcaters
totheneedsoftoday’s
society:bright,friendly,
open,andconnecting.

10. DOMESTIC SPACES
•Domesticspacesarepublicopenspaces
incloseproximitytoaclusterofhomes
andresidentialdevelopments,domestic
squaresofferaspaceforbothformal
andinformalsocialactivity.
•Alocalenvironmentforpeopleofallages
toplay,torelax,toenjoythesun,tomeet
theirneighbours
Distinguishingcharacteristics:
•Predominantlycharacterisedbythe
residentialusesthatsurroundthem.
•Aspacewereresidentsinvolveinmany
recreationalorrelaxationactivities.
•Definesaneighbourhoodscaleand
identityinthecontextofworking
environments
•Providesadegreeofintimacyand
seclusionwithinthedenseandbustling
urbanfabric.
Examples:
•Balconiesandterraces,courtyards,
communityparks,

11. Challenges
•Failuretoachievebalanceofactives
•Intimacy,safetyandcomfort
•Naturalsurveillance
•SenseofOwnership
•Poormaintenance
Designrequirements
•Engagement:CreatingResponsive
Spaces
•Inclusive&SustainableSpaces
•Useofdifferentmaterialsisan
importanttoolfordefiningspacesand
pathways.
•Designationofprimaryand
secondarymovementcorridors
throughthesquareandclustering
ofactivitytypes
•Provisionofintimacy,furnitureand
shade
•Accessibility,Flexibleandadaptive.
DOMESTIC SPACES

12. HyperlaneLinear Sky Park
•Architects:ASPECTStudios
•Location:Chengdu,China
•Area:1300m²
•Year:2020
•Hyperlaneisa2.4kmmulti-levellinearsky
park,youthcultureandlifestyledestinationat
theheartoftheSichuanConservatoryof
MusicUniversityinChengdu.Itestablishesa
vibrantandfunyouth,musicandlife
orientatedlinearspace,linkingthelocal
transportationhubwiththeuniversity
communityandcampusinChengdu.
•TheUrbanGallery,theInitialphaseofthe
projecthasrecentlyopened.Hyperlaneis
invested,built,andoperatedbythecoreteam
thatonceoperatedChengduTaikooLiproject.
Theoverallplanninganddesignintentsto
createhighstandardsandhigh-quality
design.60%ofthecommercialproductsisself-
sustaining,adherestothelong-termbusiness
philosophy,providesprofessionalsupport,and
realizeslong-termcommercialvalue.

13. The Urban Gallery
The Urban Gallery was the first phase of
the Hyperlaneproject and a sociality
orientated, pocket place for the
community to come together.Defined
by the simple notion of ‘community and
connection’, the HyperlaneUrban
Social Gallery is a bold, vibrant youth-
oriented point of identity that reflects the
artistic and creative culture of the
district.

14. CONSUMPTION SPACES
•Consumption spaces are public open spaces, part of the public realm where
‘consumption’ activities are predominant.
•Oftenacombinationoffixedretail,informaltradeandmobiletemporarystalls.
Theyarebyessenceplaceswherepeoplemeet,trade,recreateandexchange.
Distinguishingcharacteristics:
•Threemainspatialtypologieshavebeenidentified:
•Thecorridorshapeisusuallycharacterizedbyalinearcontinuityoftheshopfrontages
andarelativelynarrowwidthbetweenthebuildingfrontages.
•Thesquareshapeisatypicalsquaresurroundedmainlybyretailvenuesattheground
floor.
•Thecrossingofstreetsveryprobablygeneratedbythe“natural”meetingoccurringat
suchplaces.
•Presenceofshops,stallsandexternalseating

15. Nest Experience
•Architects:Tinker
•Location:Vevey,Switzerland
•Year:2016
•Area:6626m2
•TheSwissConceptConsultArchitects
renovatedtheindustrialheritagesiteand
covereditwithamagnificentglassroofand
steelconstruction.Underneath,Tinker
designedalarge,floating,organicworld
madeupofwhite,flowingformsand
containingadozenplayfulexhibits.

16. The big idea behind nest was simply to become more
transparent and engage in an honest and involved
dialogue about what the company stands for. Visitors
will receive an interactive and personal look behind
the scenes. They will accompany the enterprise on a
journey through the past, present and future. Nestlé
displays its diversity across five different zones, with
‘care, enjoy, improve & share’ as the motif.

17. CIVIC SPACES
•Civicspacesareanessential
componentofthecity’ssuiteofopen
spacesandbroaderpublicrealm.
•Theyhelpcharacterisethecity
ortown’shistory,andactsas
vitalspacesforpeopleto
interactwithpoliticalleaders.
Distinguishingcharacteristics:
•Aforecourttocivic
buildings,oftenwithatleast
onefrontageaddressingthe
mainentranceorfaçade.
•Asettingformonuments,statuesand
othermemorialsorpublicart
installations.
•Designedforpedestriansand
adaptabletocaterforcivicevents
andmeetings.
•Highqualitymaterials&finishes.
•Grand,symbolicandofnationaland
localsignificance.

18. Challenges:
•Exclusionary,isolated,impermeable,
inaccessibleandovermanaged
space
Designrequirements
•Symbolic:reflectthehistoryand
characterofthecommunity.
•bringthecommunitytogetherandact
asacentre.
•Adaptable:Flexibletochanging
timeandvariousseasonaluses.
•Inclusive:Peoplefromallwalks
oflifeshouldbeabletorelate
toandenjoyusingthespace.
•Accessible:Encouragemovementto
and/orthroughthespaceand
pedestrianfriendly
•High quality: Design,
materials,artwork,sculpture
andfinishescontributetoa
consistentandlegibleurban
environment.
Trafalgarsquare,London
CIVIC SPACES

19. IN-BETWEEN SPACES
•In-betweenspacesaretheresidualelements
ofthecity,whichevolveoutofanever-
changingurbanfabric.
•in-betweenspacespresentflexible
environments,which offerpotential
locationsfordiverseandunexpected
activitiesandfuturedevelopments.
Distinguishingcharacteristics:
•In-betweenspacescanbedividedintothree
categories:
•thegood,thebad,andtheugly.
•Goodin-betweenspacesarethose,which
havebecomesuccessfullyintegratedwith
theirsurroundingsphysicallyand/or
functionally;minimizinginternalconflicts
•Badin-betweenspacesarethosethathave
failedtomeettheirfullpotential,despite
havingbeenincorporatedintotheplanning
process.
•Uglyin-betweenspacesreferto
spacesintheurbanenvironmentthat
havebeenforgottenandfalleninto
dereliction.

20. Challenges
•Isolatedandunutilised
•Dangerous, unfriendly and
uncomfortable
•Awkwardshapesandlayouts
•Cluttered,dirtyandnotmaintained
Designrequirements
•Provideasenseofidentityinaspace
canbeencouragedandcontrolledby
surroundingbuildings,culture,history
andurbanfurniture.
•Naturalsurveillanceandsafety
•Adiversityandflexibilityoflanduses,
providingvaryingusesovertime(days,
week,seasons,etc.)
•Aestheticelementssuchas
vegetation,whichenhancesthetime
spentinthespace
•Includesomememorablefunctionsand
designedspaces:coffeeshop,skate
ramp,playground.
IN-BETWEEN SPACES

21. 300 Ivy Street
•Architects:DavidBakerArchitects
•Location:300IvyStreet,San
Francisco,UnitedStates
•Year:2014
•Thedesignwasdevelopedasa
balanceofinsideandout:equally
addressingtheneedsofresidents
forhigh-quality,modern,peaceful
homeswiththeneedsofthe
communityforvibrantretail,a
placeforpedestrians,andatexture
andscalethatrespectsthe
surroundingbuildings.
•Bymovingthetreesintoplanters
betweenthestreetparking,pulling
thebuildingafewfeetbackfrom
thepropertyline,andliftingthefirst
livingflooroffstreetlevelviaindoor
stoops,thedesignwidenedthe
sidewalkforpedestriansand
bufferedthetownhousesfromthe
fullypublicrealm.

22. The neighborhood-inspired pattern of bays creates
unique edges for the units, adding interest. The
rooftop has an outdoor entertaining kitchen, a
lavish protea garden, and a patio for lounging. A
perimeter of bamboo defines the common space,
which is lined with planters available to residents for
gardening.
An emphasis on the corner bays creates a gateway
feeling as the busy one-way traffic approaches the
heart of Hayes Valley.

23. URBAN SPACES in Surat
Internationalbusiness center
Nanpuracorporate buildings
Diamond bourse
COPORATE SPACES

24. DOMESTIC SPACES
Joggers parkSarathanapark
Jyotindradavegarden
CONSUMPTION SPACES
Night bazar
Mall serving as consumption space
URBAN SPACES in Surat

25. CIVIC SPACES
IN-BETWEEN SPACES
Indoor
stadium
Dumas
beach
Prime
shoppers
Panasgam
garden
URBAN SPACES in Surat

26. CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD PUBLIC REALM
Streetscape
•Streetsaredelightfulandofferattractionsandrewards:reasonstowalkand
explore.
•Sidewalksarecomfortable,withroomtopassandpause,andplacestorest.
•Streetsandpublicspacesinvitearangeofuses;notjustnecessaryones,but
optionalandspontaneousonesaswell.
•Pedestrianroutesarecontinuousandhaveoptions.
•Streetsandpublicspacesareusedwellandhavevalue;therearenoemptyor
neglectedplaces.
•Thestreetnetworkprovidesformultiplemodesoftransportationandpromotes
walkingandbiking.

27. BuiltForm
•Thebuiltformhasanimmenseimpactonthecharacterofthespaceanditssuccessin
aneighbourhood.
•Thedesignofthebuiltformcanbecategorisedintothreecomponents,base,middle
andtop:
•TheBaseshouldcontributetothequalityofthepublicrealm,havingactivefrontages,
awnings,lightingandhighqualitymaterials;
•TheMiddleshouldcomplimentthearchitecturalfeaturesofthebaseandthetopby
includingwindowsandamaterialtypologythatisvisuallycohesivewiththebaseand
top
•TheTopconsistsoftheroofandcornicetreatmentforsmallerbuildingsandonlarger
buildingsthisalsoincludesthemechanicalpenthouse.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD PUBLIC REALM

28. URBAN DESIGN
As a focus on physical improvement of public environment.

29. •Asuccessfulcitycannotoperateefficientlyinisolationfromitsenvironment.Itmustbalance
social,economicandenvironmentalneeds.
•Poorurbandesigningandmanagementcanhavegraveresultsfortheurbaneconomy,the
environmentandsociety.
•Awell-managedurbanenvironmentisakeytoeconomicdevelopmentandpoverty.
•Asourbuiltenvironmentexpands,itisimperativethatlanddevelopmentactivitiesnot
compromisethelongtermqualityofourenvironment.
•Natureisveryimportantforhumanstosurviveandthrive,wasprovidedbythenaturalworld
aroundus.
•Duetothedevelopmentofsuburbareasintonewurbancities,citiesarecomparatively
nature-poor.
•Andwithinhabitantslivingbusylives,therearefearsthatpeopleareincreasingly
disconnectedthroughanextinctionofexperiencefromthenaturalworldinbothqualityand
quantity.
INTRODUCTION

30. •Inlanduseplanning,urbanopenspace
isopenspaceareasfor"parks,"
"greenspaces,"andotheropenareas.
•Theterms"urbanopenspace"can
describemanytypesofopenareas.
•Urbanopenspaceisanaturaland
culturalresource,synonymouswith
neither'unusedland'nor'parkand
recreationareas."
OPEN SPACES

31. •Openspaceisanyopenpieceoflandthat
isundeveloped(hasnobuildingsorother
builtstructures)andisaccessibletothe
public.
•Openspacecaninclude:
•Greenspace(landthatispartlyor
completelycoveredwithgrass,trees,
shrubs,orothervegetation).Greenspace
includesparks,communitygardens.
•Schoolyards
•Playgrounds
•Publicseatingareas

32. •Preservenaturalbeauty.
•Improveugliness.
•Bufferunpleasentviewanddisturbingspace.
•Bufferbetweenconflictinglanduse.
•Twocommontypesofland-useconflictsin
urbanareasareResidentialindustrialor
residential-transportland-use
•conflicts.
•Thesecancausenoise,airandwater
pollution.
•Apartfromthenoiseandgasesreleasedby
factories,pollutionisalsocausedbythe
vehicleswhichcarrymaterialstoandfrom
factories,whichcancauseincessantnoises
andsmoke.
•Heavyroadtrafficalsocausestraffic
congestion,affectingmanynearbyresidents.
•Inadditiontofactories,thepresenceofmain
roadsalso
•affectsresidents,causingthesameproblems
asabove.
•Visualrelieffrommanmadecityscape.
OPENSPACERESIDENTS ROADTRAFFIC
BENEFIT OF OPEN SPACES

33. •URBANSPACEisactualphysical
enclosureoritsstrongarticulation
byurbanforms.e.g.Inaplaza,we
mustbesufficientlyenclosedon
allsidessothatourattention
focusesonthespaceasanentity.
•‘UrbanSpace’–PublicSpaces
withincities,createdthrough
arrangementofbuildingsand
otherbuiltelements.
•Relatedtoconceptof‘Public
Realm--PublicSpaces,available
forfreeuse.
•Focusof‘UrbanActivity’.Alltypes
ofspacesbetweenbuildingsinthe
townwhichincludepathssquares-
gardens–parks.
URBAN SPACES

34. They provide space needed for recreation.
They give form and shape to the city.
Functional importance
IMPORTANCE OF URBAN SPACES
Social importance
They create chances for interaction between people.
They preserve natural beauty.

35. They provide places for economic activities.
Economic importance
IMPORTANCE OF URBAN SPACES

36. •“Urbanplace"meansanyplacetowhichthe
publicorasubstantialgroupofthepublichas
accessandincludes,butisnotlimitedto,
streets,highways,andthecommonareasof
schools,hospitals,apartmenthouses,office
buildings,transportfacilities,andshops.
•Aspacewithactivityisknowasplace.
•UrbanPlaceisa200,000+squarefoot
communitymadeforliving,learning,shopping,
workinganddining.
•Urbandesigninvolvesthearrangementand
designofbuildings,publicspaces,transport
systems,services,andamenities.
URBAN PLACES
Urban design is about making
connections between people and
places, movement and urban form,
nature and the built fabric.

37. •Administrativecentres–headquartersforgovernmentoffices
•Industrial
Nelson heat tracing cable
TYPICAL FUNCTION OF URBAN CITY
Government communicationheadquarterTransport –ports, railway junctions, airline hubs
Markets –places where agricultural products
made in the surrounding area can be sold.

38. Residential
Financial –headquarters of major
banks, insurance companies etc.
TYPICAL FUNCTION OF URBAN CITY

39. •INTERNAL 'PUBLIC’ PLACE or public
institutions such as libraries,
museums, town halls, hospitals and
post offices.
1.EXTERNALPLACE
2.INTERNALPLACE
•EXTERNALPUBLICPLACEas
piecesoflandthatliebetween
privatelandholdingssuchas
publicsquares,streets,parks,
stretchesofcoastline,rivers.
Openspacesliebetweenthe
privatelandholdings.
TYPES OF URBAN PLACE

40. URBANSPACE
OPENSPACE
URBAN PLACE(EXTERNAL)
URBANPLACE(INTERNAL)

41. Gopi talav, Surat
EXTRNAL URBAN
SPACE
Pal walkway, Surat
Canal corridor,
Vesu, Surat

42. PATHS
Definition:Thestreets,sidewalks,trails,and
otherchannelsinwhichpeopletravel.
•Theyorganizethemobility.Patternof
streetnetworkiswhatdefinesacityand
makesitunique.
CharacteristicsofPaths
•Theyaredefinedbytheirphysical
dimension,size,shapeandcharacterof
thebuildingsthatlinethem.
•Theyrangefromgrandavenuesto
intimatesmallpaths.
KEVIN LYNCH’S 5 ELEMENTS OF CITY PLANNING
NODES
Definition: A common point where two or
more roads meet to form a junction or
square. The strategic focus points for
orientations of squares and junctions.
Importance:
•To increase the perception of an active, urban corridor and to encourage more walking.
•Strengthen the emphasis on alternative mode use in the corridor.
•Contribute to the overall vibrancy, safety, and desirability of the area.

43. EDGES
Definition:Theyareboundariesbetweentwophases,Bodiesofwater(suchasanocean,
river,orlake),Landforms(suchasmountainsandhills),Manmadestructures(suchas
buildings,railroadtracks,walls,orhighways).
Characteristicsofedges:
Actsinaspacebystoppingit,moreorlesspenetrable,ortheymaybeseams,linesalong
whichtworegionsarerelatedandjoinedtogether.Streetedgesneedtobeorientedand/or
adjustedformaximumlightonthespacebetweenbuildings,andnotjustforinterior
penetration,inordertoencourageactivestreetlife.
Edges that are seen from building to street

44. DISTRICTS
Definition:Areascharacterizedbycommoncharacteristics,thesearethemediumtolarge
areas,whichhavesomecommonidentifyingcharacter.
Characteristics:
•Distinctivephysicalcharacteristicsmightinclude‘thematiccontinuities’,suchastexture,
space,form,detail,symbol,functionandbuilding.
•Thepresenceoftheseandothersimilarattributesreinforcea
district’sfabric,cohesiveness,andidentity.
•Goodplanningmakesforliveableneighbourhoods,asafeandhealthycommunity,
andasustainableeconomy.
LANDMARKS
•Definition:externalpointsoforientation,easilyidentified
objects–towers,spires,hillsaredistantandaretypicallyseen
frommanyanglesandfromdistance,overthetopofsmaller
elements.
•Otherlandmarks–sculptures,signsandtreesareprimarilylocal
beingvisibleonlyinrestrictedlocalitiesandfromcertain
approaches.
•Importance:Functionallyprominentstructureshaveamajor
influenceontheaestheticsoftheirimmediateurbanlandscape;
location,functionofopenspacesandlandscapefurniture.

45. Urban Design involves the design and coordination of all
that makes up cities and towns:
•BUILDINGS
•PUBLIC SPACES
•STREETS
•TRANSPORT
•LANDSCAPE
ELEMENTS OF URBAN DESIGN

46. BUILDING
IDENTIFICATION:
•Buildings are the most pronounced elements of urban design.
•They shape and articulate space by forming the street walls of the city.
•Well-designed buildings and groups of buildings work together to create a sense of place.
CHARACTERISTICS:
•Variation in building height, volume and the way in which buildings are grouped
together.
•Contour
•Facade Design-main doors
•/openings, other fenestration, material, etc.

47. ROLES:
•Height & Contour define sense of enclosure and visibility.
•Openings lead to spatial structuring.
•Facade Designs animate & personalize urban space.
•Building forms are guided by specific uses of buildings.
•As they have an impact on the streetscape, it is important that their forms respond to their
surroundings.
EXAMPLES:
•Developments along Orchard Road, however, have shopping podiums with high-rise towers
set further away from the road. This gives asense of openness to the tree-lined pedestrian
mall, that has become a signature feature of Orchard Road.

48. IDENTIFICATION:
•Great public spaces are the living room of the city -the place where people come together to
enjoy the city and each other.
•Public spaces make high quality life in the city possible -they form the stage
and backdrop to the drama of life.
•Public spaces range from grand central plazas andsquares, to small, local
neighborhood parks.
PUBLIC SPACES

49. CHARACTERISTICS:
•Promotes human contact and social activities.
•Is safe, welcoming, and accommodating for all users.
•Has design and architectural features that are visually interesting.
•Promotes community involvement.
•Reflects the local culture or history.
•Relates well to bordering uses.
•Is well maintained.
•Has a unique or special character.
EXAMPLE:
•Parks like Gardens by the Bay and the plaza in front of Cathay Building and School of
the Arts (SOTA) provide respite in our high-rise city environment.

50. STREETS
IDENTIFICATION:
•These are the connections between spaces and
places, as well as being spaces themselves.
•Other pedestrian networks include pedestrian malls,
promenades, covered walkways.
•and link-ways, through-block links and overhead linkages.
CHARACTERISTICS:
•Theyaredefinedbytheirphysicaldimensionandcharacteras
wellasthesize,scale,andcharacterofthebuildingsthatline
them.
•Thepatternofthestreetnetworkispartofwhatdefinesacity
andwhatmakeseachcityunique.
•Well-connectedpedestriannetworkstoallowpeopletomoveeasilyand
comfortablywithinthecity,andfacilitatetheuseofpublictransportation.
•Itconnectsopenspaces,pointsofinterestandparks,and
canbeatdifferentlevels,allowingyoutoappreciatethecity
fromdifferentperspectives.
EXAMPLE:
•Walking to the Esplanade from City Hall MRT takes only about 15 minutes via the City Link
underground pedestrian network. The link-way is also lined with shopping and dining options.

51. TRANSPORT
IDENTIFICATION:
•Transportsystemsconnectthepartsofcitiesandhelpshapethem,
enablemovementthroughoutthecity.
•Theyincluderoad,rail,bicycle,andpedestriannetworks,and
togetherformthetotalmovementsystemofacity.
•Thebestcitiesaretheonesthatelevate
theexperienceofthepedestrianwhile
minimizingthedominanceoftheprivate
automobile.
CHARACTERISTICS:
•Thebalanceof
these various
transportsystemsis
whathelpsdefine
thequalityand
characterofcities,
andmakesthem
eitherfriendlyor
hostile to
pedestrians.

52. •Thelocationofcarparksanddrop-offpointsaffectthewayvehiclesnavigatetheir
wayaroundthecity.
•Italsoinfluenceshowpedestriansexperiencethecity.
•Itisimportanttoseparatepedestriansfromvehiculartraffictoavoidcausingdanger
andconflicttopedestrians.
EXAMPLE:
•Thedrop-offpointatMandarinGalleryusedtobelocatedinfrontofthebuildingsalongthe
mainOrchardRoadpedestrianmall.Thismixofvehicularandpedestriantrafficwasnot
ideal,andcauseddisruptionstopedestrians.AfterMandarinGallerywasrefurbished,the
drop-offpointwasrelocatedtotheside,alongOrchardLink.Thisopenedupthefrontof
thedevelopmentforactivitygeneratingusesandalsoprovidespedestrianswithasaferand
morepleasantenvironment.

53. LANDSCAPE
IDENTIFICATION:
•It is the green part of the city that weaves throughout, in
the form ofurban parks, street trees, plants, flowers, and
water in many forms.
•Green spaces in cities range from grand parks
tosmall intimate pocket parks.
•The landscape helps define the character and beauty of a
city and createssoft, contrasting spaces and elements.
CHARACTERISTICS:
•Levels, Flat or Sloping Pattern
•Surface texture
ROLE
•Level moulds scale, give directionality, focus, emphasis.
•Texture suggests (supports / prohibits) nature of activity –pedestrian, vehicular / slow, fast
•Pattern moulds movement paths, gives direction
•Landscape plays an important role in our urban design, and developments are encouraged to
provide greenery (on the ground or skyrise) in the city.
•EXAMPLE:
•The sky terraces at Parkroyal Hotel at Pickering Street allow hotel guests to enjoy greenery at
new ‘heights’.

54. Questions:
1. What do you mean by Public Realm? What are the key elements of it?
2.What are the types of public spaces?
3.What do you mean by ‘Urban places’? Types of it?
4.How does urban spaces affect urban design?
5.What are the elements of Urban design?

55. BY
Mitiksha Jain
RutvaDevani
JanviPatel
MadhviPatel
DhruvinKachchadiya
Palak Shah
GUIDED BY
DhruvitaMahida
Nirav Khandwala
Pooja Dhariawala