2018 Scienceline Publication

Journal of Civil Engineering and Urbanism

Volume 8, Issue 4: 39-43; Jul 25, 2018

ISSN-2252-0430

Flexible Urban Public Spaces and their Designing

Principles



Mohsen Sanei , Solmaz Khodadad and Mina Khodadad

¹M.Sc., Dept. of Architecture and Urban Studies, Politecnico di Milano University, Milan, Italy

²M.Sc. Graduate Student, Dept. of Architecture, Islamic Azad University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

^Corresponding author’s Emails: mina.khodadad@mail.polimi.it, mn.khodadad@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT: Urban public spaces are available for everyone regardless of race, age or gender and are democratic

social places for citizens and the society. A public space in the neighbourhood is an available opportunity for

neighbours to have communications, like friendly chats in a fenced garden or even public meetings in local parks, and

social-cultural interactions as results. Although architectural landscapes and public spaces are totally specified places,

but for various reasons, such as creating good connectivity with other spaces and between space users, they may need

some changes in design patterns. For example, in some cases there is a need to change the dimension and increase or

decrease the measurements. Therefore, possibilities of changes in both structure and functions of the spaces should be

predicted in design process of the spaces. According to diminution in social interactions and the increasing isolation of

people in societies, paying attention to the factors which can rise social interactions in public space design is an

important issue. Flexibility is one of key elements in sustainable urban public spaces and paying attention to that can

affect citizens’ behaviours and surge interactions. In this regard, according to the available and predicted facilities for

changing the spaces, the amount of flexibility will be different. Flexibility has become a tool for solving the social

issues in urban spaces and also answering space requests in societies, which are speedily changing. Flexible

architectural design of public spaces, is a way to promote social connections and sustainable development. This research

is a descriptive-analytic study, with use of library research method for data collecting, and describes the importance of

the flexible designs on social life in public spaces. Some practical solutions for designing a flexible urban public space

are determined in the final section of the research.

Keywords: Social-Cultural Interactions; Sustainable Urban Public Spaces; Sustainable Development; Flexible

Architectural Design.

INTRODUCTION

Nowadays urban planners and designers consider

examine and recognize each of these topics in previous

studies and pay attention to their importance in the design

of public spaces. Some design and management

suggestions are extracted, then, which could be helpful

increasing the flexibility of an urban public space. Library

research method is used for data collecting. This article

takes a look at each of the presented titles in previous

studies and their importance in designing public spaces.

human-related aspects of public spaces more than before

and also people are more enthusiastic in participation in

these spaces (Gehl and Gemzøe, 2004 ). Due to gathering

of people and then remaining in the space, physical

quality of public spaces is the first factor to activate these

spaces socially. Urban public spaces find their meanings

with humans’ presence and activities, and more than their

physical roles, they are important for creating social

interactions among citizens. Public spaces are set of

elements, which cause a style of social life, and their most

obvious feature is the need for flexibility and evolution of

the space, both in physical and functional features. The

present research is a descriptive-analytic study, which

focuses on flexible architectural design, as one of

effective methods in promoting social interactions in

urban public spaces. It consists three major terms and

concepts: public spaces, flexibility and social interactions,

each of which has been the subject of numerous studies.

To reach the goal of the research, it is necessary to

Public spaces

Public spaces in cities have long been the basis used

for the expression of cultural values and social relations

(Sanei et al., 2017). Public spaces are components of the

public sphere (Habermas, 1989 ). The public sphere is

where strangers meet; it stands in contrast to the private

sphere, where close relationships, such as the family,

flourish (Sennett, 1977 ). Like other components of the

public sphere; such as the mass media, civic institutions,

and informal civil behaviours; we conceptualize public

spaces as an opportunity for the exchange of messages

with diverse others. Public spaces include a city’s streets,

sidewalks, parks, and plazas to which all persons have

To cite this paper: Sanei M, Khodadad S and Khodadad M (2018). Flexible Urban Public Spaces and their Designing Principles. J. Civil Eng. Urban., 8 (4): 39-43.

www.ojceu.ir

legal access (Loﬂand, 1973 ). Thus, the distinguishing

feature that separates public space from private space is

that it minimizes the segregation of people based on

lifestyles, such as their opinions, income, gender, and race

(Strauss, 1976 ). Urban public space is defined as the

physical space and social relations that determine the use

of that space within the non-private realm of cities

(Brown, 2006 ). Urban public spaces play major roles in

the real city life, from socio-economic issues to cultural

and environmental matters (Khodadad and Sanei, 2016 ).

Places can provide opportunities for social interaction,

social mixing and social inclusion, and can facilitate the

development of communities. In landscape architecture

and urban planning, understanding of the contribution of

public space in the urban area and the relationship

between people and this environment have been

developed as early as 1900s (Thompson, 1998,

Thompson, 2002 ). The social value of public space is

wide ranging and lies in the contribution it makes to

people’s attachment to their locality and opportunities for

mixing with others, and in people’s memory of places

(Dines et al., 2006 ).

for physical changes for flexible and multi-functional

spaces (Einifar, 2003 ).

Change is inevitable in today societies, and like all

aspects of contemporary life, architecture should similarly

offer an appropriate response to such changes for

remaining sustainable, useful and appropriate (Khodadad

and Sanei, 2017 ). According to the needs of the

community and audiences, science of architecture always

has seek creative ways to optimize the space for contacts

in different fields (Khodadad et al., 2018 ). In fact, the goal

of creating flexible spaces is to create new spaces for the

required functions by simple structural changes

(Mahdavinezhad et al., 2011 ). The flexibility of an

environment is its capacity to adapt to changes made by

users, and flexibility of the environment refers to its

readiness to welcome users’ effects (Turan, 2016 ).

Therefore, the more an environment is responsive to

changes, the higher flexibility it will have. In the book

entitled “The Death and Life of Great American Cities”,

Jacobs stated that cities which could survive and become

sustainable are those physical design of which has been

efficiently corrected through basic changes in activity

patterns (Jacobs, 1961 ).

Flexibility in architecture and urban design

The concept of flexibility is obtained from Latin

references in urban context studies conducted on

environmental systems’ behaviour usually against

tensions and disorders rooted from exterior factors (Davic

and Welsh Jr, 2004 ), and indicates “durability of

relationships in system” (Barnett, 2001 ). Flexibility, in

general terms, is defined as ability of bending, variability,

being non-sensitive to modifications, readiness and

capacity for compatibility with different purposes or

conditions (Till and Schneider, 2005 ). A flexible urban

space is positively coherent with certain limitations which

can provide an optimum size and proper shape in a good

relation with space characteristics and performance (Davic

and Welsh Jr, 2004 ). Flexibility of public spaces depends

on the amount of considered ways for passing from one

point to another, which have to be clear and easy to see,

unless it will be helpful just for people who are familiar

with the space. Flexibility can be a strategic programme

which makes optimal use of urban resources for

developing and meeting the needs of cities in the future.

Flexibility is generally referred to the ability of change in

objects. In particular, in architecture, environmental

design and other related research fields, the term

"flexibility" means creating spatial adaptability and

changing the human space organization in order to

achieve new conditions, solutions and applications. On the

one hand, some spaces provide many activities without re-

organizing; on the other hand, some others can be changed

to meet different needs. Environment designers have used

the terms "versatility" and "flexibility" for these two

cases. Adaptive spatial organization is a plan that provides

behavioural patterns at different times without the need

Social life

Individuals shape social communication based on

their own interests and act according to their expectations,

norms and roles. Therefore, the presence of a person in a

place along with others is a strong factor affecting one's

decision on staying in that environment. In this regard,

people may even search for places where individuals with

similar characteristics, in terms of gender, religion, life

style, education, income, and race, are present. However,

while homogeneity of people encourages visits and

increases interactions with physical and social places, and

consequently promotes attachments to that location, non-

homogeneous social places can be also beneficial for

individuals to experience good and free social interactions

(Cooper Marcus and Sarkissian, 1986 ).

The process of socialization is reachable by making

social interactions between the users of architectural

public spaces, and the ability to effectively interact with

others, whether in private life or in public and professional

life of humans, is vital (Forgas, 1985 ). Increasing of

socialization is based on the presence of people in urban

spaces, social interactions between them and the human

need for a sense of social belonging and being with others

(Hafezifar, 2011 ). In addition, communications in public

spaces promote the spirit of solidarity, personal growth,

and the development and improvement of appropriate

behavioural patterns (Mardomi and Ghamari, 2011 ).

Figure 1 represents important factors affecting social

interactions among people in cities, according to

Ghanbaran and Jafari’s research.

To cite this paper: Sanei M, Khodadad S and Khodadad M (2018). Flexible Urban Public Spaces and their Designing Principles. J. Civil Eng. Urban., 8 (4): 39-43. www.ojceu.ir

According to Friedman (Friedman, 1997 ), plans should

prescribe a clear development vision at a very general and

large scale, while being flexible regarding the design of

specific urban spaces. Ascher mentions, “new urbanisms

should be a flexible urbanism, aesthetically opened,

reflexive, with active participation and, formally speaking,

an urbanism of devices able to elaborate and negotiate

solutions rather than drawing specific plans” (Ascher,

2001 ).

Urban public spaces, as places for creating social

interactions of citizens and generating a framework for

facilitating social relationships, can expand obtaining

common purposes in a society and develop the sense of

solidarity, cooperation and public participation among the

people in cities. These spaces are valuable in terms of

sustainability and social, political and physical life, and

can be used as locations for production and reproduction

of culture and the collective identity. From this view, it

has a close link with sustainability of a community and its

cohesion. The possibility of diversity and change in the

public space makes people involve more in space.

Flexible spaces with such changes are more efficient and

more dynamic than normal-designed spaces, and will

directly affect the motivation of the society to create its

presence. Several functionalities can be influential in

increasing the spatial quality, collective satisfaction,

people's communication and social interactions, shelf life

of the space, and the sense of vitality and dynamism.

Therefore, one criterion for increasing social sustainability

is multi-functionality of the space. Multiple design criteria

should be considered to make a space flexible. Flexible

designing of urban public spaces can significantly

influence citizens’ lifestyles and expand the quality of

their social lives, by giving the community the chance to

participate more in common social activities and to have

more effective social communications and interactions.

Figure 1. Significant features influencing social

interactions in urban areas (Ghanbaran and Jafari, 2014).

Social spaces and social life in urban public

spaces

In definition of urban social spaces, Jan Gehl

emphasizes on space invitation more than other features,

and he gives meaning to the city according to its

attractiveness and massive crowds that come together in

the public spaces and wherever they spend their time. In

his opinion, an inviting urban space is a space that we can

meet with our fellow citizens face-to-face and experiment

it directly with our senses (Gehl, 2011 ). John Lang

describes social spaces as "welcoming places," and

believes that such spaces are environments that can

improve human experiences. A social space has to have a

human scale and be a platform for a variety of behaviours

and activities, and has to have the ability to accept the

citizens' desired behaviours (Lang, 1987 ). Social spaces

that are the source of everyday life, are multipurpose and

flexible spaces which provides many of the activities and

uses of the users, and provides the coordination between

its social users (Lennard et al., 1993 ).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Principles for

designing a flexible urban public space

FLEXIBLE URBAN PUBLIC SPACES: tools to

improve social interactions

The following criteria should be taken into

consideration during the design and management phases

of a public space and can increase the flexibility of an

urban public space:

This paper argues for a flexible and organized use of

urban public spaces to achieve more social

communications among individuals within such spaces.

The concept of flexibility in urban planning is defined as

the compatibility and adaptability of planning thought and

planning system to the random and daily needs of

community. There should be much more flexibility and

uncertainty in many aspects during the process of

planning formulation, such as urban development

strategies, land planning, population forecast and so on, in

order to maintain the overall stability of urban

development (Cheng, 1993 ). The increased complexity

and change that characterize contemporary urban societies

require a more flexible approach to urban design.

 Increasing permeability of the space.

 Paying attention to access routes and increasing

them as much as possible (increasing the right to choose).

 Using of diverse and extensive passing routes

(increasing the right to choose).

 Predicting the possibility of using various

behavioral patterns and paying attention to that at design

time (e.g. creating edges on the walls for waiting and

sitting).

 Creating the possibility of physical expansibility of

the space if needed.

To cite this paper: Sanei M, Khodadad S and Khodadad M (2018). Flexible Urban Public Spaces and their Designing Principles. J. Civil Eng. Urban., 8 (4): 39-43. www.ojceu.ir

Flexibility is one of the factors that can affect the quality

of the physical environment and promote social benefits.

The presence of people in a more flexible environment

will rise social sustainability, by increasing peoples’

communication and social-cultural interactions.

 Predicting the spaces needed to hold different

events throughout the year.

 Predicting the possibility to set up temporary and

street markets in different times.

 Placing static factors of spaces where they cause

less constraint in flexibility of other spaces.

 Using changeable city furniture, such as changing

benches.

In today's societies where interactions between

people are low, paying attention to flexibility in the public

environment can lead to more vitality in the area. A

person wants to stay in a space which meets his needs;

therefore, it is possible to cause his attendance in an

environment by making him feel free in the organization

of that space, according to his needs. Using suitable

solutions can help public spaces to become more flexible

and adaptable, and as a result, more inviting and

sustainable, in social and architectural terms. This paper

prepared an overview about flexibility in urban public

spaces and described the important role of this factor in

enhancing social communications of the society.

Finally, some effective guidelines are presented,

which can alter an urban public space to a flexible place,

where the organization of the space could be freely

changed according to the needs of the users. A suggestion

for future researchers in the field could be analysing the

most successful flexible public spaces according to the

community’s opinion and compare the results with the

suggestions expressed in this article.

 Utilizing mobile urban furniture alongside fixed

furniture like giant chess fields.

 Using smart and multi-functional urban furniture to

enhance performance of the space.

 Creating active frontage by making cooperation

among buildings and the public space.

 Forecasting the places needed for connecting light

partitions or metal bars to the floor for holding temporary

exhibitions or putting volleyball tours and more.

 Predicting the possibility to install mobile canopies

and ceilings in different atmospheric conditions.

 Creating social interaction between people and

local managers through local surveys (e.g. installing on-

site digital polling boards), designing a website or mobile

app, and so on.

 Using public participation in holding local and

urban exhibitions and ceremonies.

 Taking advantage of participatory design in the

space and urban furniture design process, for example,

through urban furniture design workshops.

 Creating the possibility of changing furniture and

space organization, once in a while, using people's

opinions or holding design contests for designers or

students.

DECLARATIONS

Authors’ contributions

All authors participated equally in this research.

Competing interests

Authors declare that they have no competing

interests.

 Making the place open for public access at all

times of the day and year (as much as possible).

 Creating the possibility of using different lighting

in place to create different spatial senses.

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