Public spaces do not have one purpose; they must be adaptable and easy to use. This requires a detailed level of planning and assessment, helping to forecast current and future needs. The lecture will deep dive into equitable public space design and outline strategies for incorporation in future efforts.

As quoted in the documentary “Social Life of Small Urban Spaces” by William Whyte, “public spaces are a mechanism, nothing more and nothing less; they must provide adequate uses for everyone throughout all times of the day.”

Following this premise, public spaces are one of the most important spaces that downtowns offer, providing locations for people to be witnessed, heard, and most importantly, seamlessly integrate into the downtown as part of the community. To facilitate this, these local spaces must be envisioned and designed to meet the changing needs of a downtown, offering a space and purpose for everyone.

In this lecture, we will dive deep into the process of analyzing, designing, and implementing public space design as it pertains to small plazas or gathering spaces. These spaces often require a detailed level of study, followed by a broad stroke of design implementation, allowing for adaptability. This lecture will highlight:

● How to assess needs

● Defining needed types of spaces

● Outlining a program for spaces

● Detailing elements of design to meet the needs

● Assessing your new space and planning for change

Through this lecture, participants will be provided with the necessary framework for conducting a grass-roots level assessment of public space and programming, both short-term and long-term improvements. Participants will also receive assessment tools, sheets, and visual representation diagrams.