In achieving a city’s sustainable development, urban planning is a key component. The improvement of public spaces and their amenities within a municipality is given attention to in this movement. Public spaces are social areas for the people who belong to one community. They give residents the opportunity to connect with one another as well as engage in activities conducted in a city or town. Will the development of the society get affected if the public spaces are not good enough? Definitely.
In this article, we will talk about the different ways that will help enhance the condition of any public space; what the local government can do together with the engineers and architects in order to improve the quality of life by revamping urban areas.
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Strategy #1: Create more urban green spaces.
Despite the environmental hazards that threaten the Earth and its resources, nothing should stop the local government from creating and spreading more urban green spaces. Undeniably, people are in immense need for calmness, peace, and solitude–all of which are brought about by nature.
Urban green spaces promote human well-being. They reduce human stress and anxiety, improve the environmental conditions of the city, and advocate sustainable architecture. Green lands, tall trees, flowering plants, beautify the urban as well. A healthy environment improves the quality of people’s life in the city.
Strategy #2: Cultivate comfort through public art.
The Knight Foundation of the United States conducted a three-year study regarding the residents’ attachment to their communities and have found out that “social offerings, openness, and welcomeness” along with the “aesthetics of a place – its public art, parks, and green spaces” is a driver of comfort and attachment to the community.
Indeed, public art has become more and more sought after by this generation. Setting up pieces of art in public places like parks, buildings, streets, etc. will cultivate a feeling of relief and a sense of connection in the hearts of people visiting them.
Strategy #3: Reinforce safety with good urban lighting.
Poorly lit places become closely associated with danger and crime. If that’s the case in relation to your city’s public spaces, people will no longer come to visit, nor even drop by. One way to make a public space appealing to its residents is to decorate it with lights.
Lighting has a way of controlling the ambiance of a place. Because people in public places would want to socialize and engage in fun activities, the lighting should be powerful enough to supply the luminosity that’s perfect for social gatherings. Solar moon lights are innovative solar lamps that the city needs in reinforcing safety as well as openness.
Strategy #4: Host events that will urge sociability.
There is a significant connection being made between an individual and a particular space when mediated by social events. Some people would chase after solitude and quietness, others would want to meet new friends or hang out with a group. Either way, it’s good that the community hosts events that encourage sociability. After all, both introverts and extroverts still need that time to go out and just interact.
Social events such as movie nights and music concerts will gather people who have the same interests as one another. Art exhibits, festivals, contests, etc. are also a good idea. Also, make sure you abide by the guidelines for planning a community event.
Strategy #5: Build enough public amenities and facilities.
To serve its purpose, public spaces must be functional. Public amenities such as comfort rooms, water and drinking fountains, public telephones, rain shelters, etc. must be built and erected within the public space and be available for public use. Since facilities are institutional responses to the residents’ needs, they should also be constructed.
Strategy #6: Make public spaces more accessible.
Make public parks, gardens, buildings more open and welcoming to the public. To the able and disabled, to children, adults, and elders, to everybody. Public spaces must be a friendly place for all who get to visit them.
To make public spaces accessible and welcoming, turn them into a place wherein people will find comfort and fun. Make sure there are good and enough seats for more than the average number of people who come along to enjoy and interact with the place.
Despite the continuous commercialization of the many parts of the world, public places where people can find peace, quietness, and tranquility must still be prioritized. In fact, these are some of the most important places that you and I need in terms of engaging with the community. It’s also good to allow retailers to occupy a significant portion of the public spaces so they could also provide what the people need. Food, drinks, merchandise, and other stuff that they might be interested in. These are all part of improving the city’s public spaces.