What Makes a Successful Public Space? Part 2

The PPS's Place Diagram. Source - http://www.pps.org/reference/grplacefeat/ 

Having focused on Accessibility and Comfort and image in a previous post, we will now look at Sociability and Uses.

3. Great public spaces contribute to community health - whether socially, economically, culturally or environmentally (PPS 2016), so why not ensure that it facilitates interactions and socialization? In many cities it is hard to achieve this aspect due to poor planning and design. To meet this criteria I believe that the space must encourage persons to gather and interact with one another. Ensure the area is well maintained and easy on the eyes. Implement features such as food stands and play parks to capture children as well their parents, draw people in and make them want to revisit the place over and over again. Remember, a public space is not only a region of social life located apart from the realm of family and close friends but also the realm of acquaintances and strangers (Goheen 1998). As such a successful place should encourage socialization with strangers. Make some new friends! Hug a stranger! You never know who you may run into... (you might even meet your soul mate!).

Palmiste Park (shown above) is a well known public space in South Trinidad on the outskirts of San Fernando. Lots of people venture to this area on afternoons to either exercise, purchase food from local vendors or just to spend time with the family. As can be seen in the photo people also visit the park for celebrations. Here we see a family setting up to celebrate a birthday. It was very refreshing to see this, since in this modern age we all tend to gravitate towards indoor parties in club like environments and fancy halls. When asked why they chose this park they stated that they feel comfortable there and the area is safe, there are always people around they get to buy coconut water from a local vendor. Also its an inexpensive way to gather the family together for a fun afternoon without the hustle and bustle. 

This photo was taken at the Emperor Valley Zoo in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. Although it  is open to the public, entrance fees are required making more of a privatized public space (this will be discussed in a later post). However we see how it encourages socialization (in this case with a boa constrictor!). Families plan outings, schools take students there on field trips. It is a great place to spend time with family and friends and meet new people.

4. Now, ensuring that the space is accessible,comfortable and encourages socialization is fundamental in making it successful but eventually we'll get bored of going and having nothing to do but sit and talk. According to the project for public spaces, "Having something to do gives people a reason to come to a place - and return."Therefore, for ultimate success, the place should also have activities than stimulates peoples interest. Communities can put on live shows, have a fun area for kids, even for adults (I wouldn't mind going down a slide or taking a swing). This will also encourage socialization as participating in activities as groups is more fun that doing them alone. 

The San Jose De Ortana Park in St. Joseph has incorporated a play area for children. The gazebo is used by the community to put on shows and displays at various times throughout the year. I was a bit curious as to why there weren't many people present at the time the photo was taken. I looked at the scene with new eyes taking into consideration what I learnt so far about successful places. Upon further examination, I found that access to this park was very limited (not seen in the photo). The one gate that allowed entry for the differently able was locked and the other entrances were a tight fit. There were seating areas, most of which were damaged. The area wasn't very well kept but it was secure. There weren't any features to draw you in except for the children's area and it dawned.. this space isn't  successful!

References 

1.Goheen, Peter. "Public Space and the Geography of the Modern City." Progress in Human Geography, 1998, 479-96. Accessed March 2016. http://studiereis.fondsbkvb.nl/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Goheen-Peter-G-Public-space-and-the-geography-of-the-modern-city.pdf. 

2.Project for Public Spaces. "What Makes a Successful Place?" Project for Public Spaces. Accessed March 2016. http://www.pps.org/reference/grplacefeat/. 

3.Torma, Carolyn. "Successful Public Spaces." American Planning Association. July/August 2006. Accessed March 2016. https://www.planning.org/chapters/editors/thecommissioner/2006/sum01.htm. 

Haven't seen Part 1? Check it out at http://whypublicspacesfail.blogspot.com/2016/04/what-makes-successful-public-space-part.html