Nancy Marshall

Social Interactions and the Quality of Urban Public Space

This article draws historical and contemporary links between public life and public space in cities. A discussion of what “social interaction” is and what “high-quality public space” means, provides the basis for the discussion of their mutual influence on each other. Planners and designers need to understand the economic, political, sociocultural, and now technological forces that shape the public realm in order to create and provide socially supportive public spaces. Urban populations are increasingly demanding high-quality public spaces in support of a desired vibrant public life. Cities are being challenged to provide them.