Why Public Space Fails

William H. Whyte once said, “It is difficult to design a space that will not attract people – what is remarkable is how often this has been accomplished.” According to the Project for Public Spaces(PPS), many public spaces seem to be purposely designed to be looked at but not touched. They are neat, clean, and empty – as if to say, “no people, no problem!” But to us, when a public space is empty, vandalized, or used chiefly by undesirables, this is generally an indication that something is very wrong with its design, or its management, or both. In its assessment of why public spaces fail or why they are underutilized and mistreated, the PPS recognized some reoccurring problems:

• lack of places to sit and a lack of good places to sit 
• lack of gathering points (This includes features people want or need, such as playgrounds, or places where varying elements–bus stop, vending cart, outdoor seating–combine to create a gathering point. Food is often a critical component of a successful gathering point)
• Poor entrances and visually inaccessible spaces (if a place is to be used, people need to see it and they need to get to it)
• dysfunctional features (features that are simply built to punctuate a space, serving more of a visual than functional.

I thought about how this related to the under utilization of public space in downtown POS by many of the population who simply pass through or around these spaces. Although the problems in POS were a bit different I saw a few similarities.

Would you sit here?

I would not say there is an outright lack of seating but there is definitely competition for seating among the general public and the homeless persons who seek shelter in public space like the photo above.

There is shortage of playgrounds in the city's urban public spaces and it is catered toward mainly just sitting around evidenced by the photo below.

No where to play

Lastly a major problem I found but did not photograph was poor entrances, in Woodford Square (which is a pretty large space) alot of the entrances were inaccessible due to the gates being locked. One would have to use an entrance that would not have been as convenient and may chose to forgo entering the space at all. Other minor problems that were similar to those pinpointed by the Project for Public Spaces was the lack of food which is known to encourage gatherings (referred to as a gathering point). There were little food carts located in Woodford Sqaure and on the Promenade, and those present offered little variety as they contained mostly beverages and light snacks. 
The article provided great insight into why other public spaces such as transit stops also fail, while offering simple recommendations. It was short, direct and easy to read.

Resources 
Why Public Spaces Fail 
http://www.pps.org/reference/failedplacefeat/

Goheen, Peter.Public Space and the geography of the modern city.Progress in Human Geography 22, 4 (1998) p479-496.
http://studiereis.fondsbkvb.nl/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Goheen-Peter-G-Public-space-and-the-geography-of-the-modern-city.pdf

Sharifa

The Waterfront:An Enticing Public Space

The Port of Spain Waterfront is perhaps the newest and most modern form of public space in the downtown area. It boast of spectacular oceanfront scenic views, a water fountain, amphitheater style seating, access to the water taxi terminal as well as the newly built, modernized Breakfast Shed. It was a shame that I could not capture the Waterfront at a more lively time and in its splendor (the fountain was off).

I chose to look at the waterfront because it reflects the a more modern planning process not typically associated with Trinidad's drive for modernity. The Waterfront public space was part of the Port of Spain International Waterfront Centre, a project which sought to boost the country's modern image and foster development. The Waterfront Project includes two, 26 storey office towers, The Hyatt Regency Hotel, an auditorium, 7 storey carpark, retail space and the largest conference space in the English Speaking Caribbean. The inclusion of a public space on prime real estate showcases the step in the right direction as it acknowledged the need for more green, open and public space in the heart of the city. Upon its completion it was a favorite and popular hang out spot for many couples and families, location for wedding and fashion shoots as wells as an arena for competitions and events during both day and night, something that the other public spaces in the city center were not known for. The pride and sense of community that this spaces provided and continues too is phenomenal.

Watertaxi on the waterfront

Quiet afternoon on waterfront

Fountain at the Waterfront

Stopping for a snack at the Breakfast Shed located on the Waterfront

As stated before these are just a few snippets of the waterfront public space but they do not truely reflect the vibrancy and dynamic uses of this space. So I thought I should add a video clip of a local Harlem Shake meme that was filmed on the Waterfront as it highlights some of the unique uses of this now landmark location in Trinidad, enjoy.

Reflection

I cannot believe its the end of blogging! This was perhaps the most inspiring class assignment to date, also the most frustrating. Nevertheless the value of it was not lost and I have truly been able to look back on the experience fondly, Putting urban geography into practice is definitely something that interests me. The different themes examined in not only my blog but those of my classmates were insightful and left me thinking more about the socio-economic and political landscape of my country. It was very intriguing to see some of the ideas that people came up with as well as the similarities we had. For instance Alyssa Black and I had a similar post about  public space using Woodford Square as our feature. 

The blogs I chose to reflect on are more indirectly related to my own, and include posts that have similar or even contradicting opinions on issues. 
Danielle Richards blog,http://the-power-of-culture-in-pos.blogspot.com/ discussed the influence of culture on Port of Spain. One of her posts that spoke directly to mine was "How urban places are valued". I found similarities in the display of culture in public places which she discussed as the doubles vendors on the Promenade as well as how people view and or treasure culture found in public spaces.
As mentioned before Alyssa Black's blog, http://city-vibez.blogspot.com/ highlighted the central theme of my own blog, which was public spaces and even zeroed in on perception of these spaces, she spoke of the lack of things to do in Trinidad as our public spaces were not seen as a viable entertaining option. This was harped on and on during the course of my blog through the theme of perception of public spaces and how they fail.
Ryan Proverbs blog http://urbanguru01.blogspot.com/ as had a similar theme. His post on the importance of green space in an urban setting spoke volumes about the need for sustainable cities as well as how green space provides such sustainability and is beneficial, socially and ecologically

This whole experience was more to me than just a photoblog, it was a journey into paying more attention to my surroundings, which then allowed me to apply theory to the real world, as well as make my own realizations.

Thanks a lot Dr. Kissoon, I now have my own little piece of the web, that will be there forever.

Sharifa 

Grassroots Politics in the City: The University of Woodford Square

According to Barret and Hall in urban politics may seem a straightforward aspect of cities for us to consider."It appears to be the city hall, the local authority. local elections alike." This however is the very restricted form of politics, referred to as the formal urban political arena.What about the less formal arena? Sophie Watson (1999)  reminds us there are many ways we can think of issues of power and politics in the city.

Barret and Hall both see the fundamental question and starting point of the exploration of urban politics, as the issue of power. What it is and who holds it. The first thing that comes to mind is the typical uneven distribution of power, bestowed upon government representatives and political parties, merchant and other business organizations that influence the process of urban politics. One may not initially think of the "less" powerful groups such as social groups and residents who hold great power in their ability to resist and protest. It is this less obvious group which truly fascinates me, the common man and woman, who holds power and yet does not know it.

When thinking of grassroots organizations in the city, I immediately think of a favorite gathering place for such groups, the infamous Woodford Square in Port of Spain.

University of Woodford Square Notice Board.

The above picture is of the chalk board found in Woodford Square where people congregate to discuss the political and philosophical issues of the day.

Large gathering of men, discussing matters of the day in Woodford Square

The picture above showcases those who gather to argue, discuss, reflect and "throw picong"(light comical banter at someone elses expense). This is grass roots politics at its finest and Woodford Square holds a symbolical meaning for numerous elder Trinbagonians. It is commonly referred to as the University of Woodford Square because in days prior to and after independence, numerous politicians, most famous of them, the late Dr. Eric Williams, would hold talks, lectures, discussions and rallies in the Square. It also happens to be directly opposite the Parliament and City Hall, and many a protest march culminates in the Square due to this geographic location. Woodford Square is not just a political arena, it is a public space for recreation and relaxation as well as a vending area.

It truely showcases the social, economic and political value of public space.

References 

Hall,T. and H. Barrett. 2012. Urban Geography. 4th edition London/New York: Routeledge. -Pg 101-105

Public Space is Our Space: Why not use it?

Empty seating in Woodford Square

As you can tell by my last couple of posts, I'm all about public space. Along this blog journey I've definitely learnt alot, not just about urban geography but about myself and country. One of my last posts was titled "Perceptions about Public Space" and this post is a sort of follow up. I spoke about how I perceived urban public spaces as places for old people and the homeless, only to be utilized as a landmark or pass through along my way to elsewhere. Obviously after reading numerous articles and research pieces praising such public spaces, it was only fitting that I look for new ways to appreciate and employ it.
The above photo shows an empty table with ample seating in Woodford Square, Port of Spain, practically crying out to be used. Changing the perception of public places to one that is more inviting and friendly begins with us, the public. This is our space, why not reclaim it. The photographed table and chair can be used for a meeting place for lunch among work colleagues as opposed to crowding for seating at the various food malls in downtown POS, for a meet up among school friends in the afternoon as opposed to being mainly used by senior citizens alone.
Ofcourse it would be foolhardy to ignore the reasons as to why persons do not utilize such spaces, but again it is our responsibility to get out there and try to change that. Perhaps by ensuring that these areas get proper upkeep and are not mere resting places for the homeless.
In order to make public space more viable, according to the American Planning Association they must meet the needs of the people. To make public space attractive a shortlist of criteria are given.Characteristics of a Great Public Space include:

1. Promotes human contact and social activities.
2. Is safe, welcoming, and accommodating for all users.
3. Has design and architectural features that are visually interesting.
4. Promotes community involvement.
5. Reflects the local culture or history.
6. Relates well to bordering uses.
7. Is well maintained.
8. Has a unique or special character.

It would definitely be interesting to see if our own local planners can include these traits into the creation of public space.

Perception of Public Spaces

I could not help my disdain for travelling through Port of Spain these last two semesters, as I like most of my fellow Trinbagonians view Port of Spain as loud, dirty and filled with vagrants, pipers (drug addicts who may or may not have a permanent abode) and other unsavory characters who may well need to be housed at the Mental Hospital in St. Anns. I really do not hate the city, at times I just do not want to be harassed and chased by persons whose mental state seems quite precarious nor do I want to smell the concoction of drain water mixed with all of Charlotte Streets fish and vegetable vendors spoilt produce of days gone by. Don't get me started on litter lined streets and crazy pigeons and birds that pick your hair and can drop and artillery of poop at a moments notice.

Gone are the days when i was beyond excited to go shopping with my mom in town, or happy to tag along for a drive while my dad paid bills or visited the bank. Every once in a while I too embark on this journey but I am not excited, nor pissed, I just have no real emotion towards the city itself.

Upon embarking on my photoblog journey and seeing a pattern in the use of public space and in talking with my friends about what public space meant to them, it all made sense. I wondered why there were only old men with a few old women gathering in parks and squares, along streets and in public libraries? Perception was mainly the reason for the lack of a more youthful or even middle aged presence.

Elderly couple catching up on the times

Homeless man resting on bench in POS, Trinidad

Relaxing after work in the background, taking a afternoon nap in the forground

Old men lounging in POS, Trinidad

As previously discussed in my post titled "Importance of Public Space" it was noted that these spaces were generally occupied by senior citizens and mostly men at that. These were the people who appreciated public space as it provided a recreational, social place or just a place to kill time while waiting  or to stop for a break along their journeys. I on the other hand as well as some of my peers all agreed that parks and squares were perceived as "old people places" or places for homeless people. Every day I see persons who i am sure have no fixed abode like the gentleman pictured above lounging on benches and I think to myself I would never sit there.

Maybe this is more of a local occurrence as most of the literature spoke highly of use of public spaces by all.

However i was given an insightful quote by one of my colleagues in the comment section of a previous post (Thanks alot Jennifer!)According to Michael Pachione (2001, 11) space is a social construct...different geographic spaces and scales is in a constant state of flux. There are certain spaces declining in importance whilst others increase. This supports the idea that due to perception younger people may hold along with the variety of outlets for socialization and recreation urban public space is no longer such importance as compared to older persons.

Story still developing

Sharifa

Cultural Displays in Public Spaces

According to the American Planning Association there are certain characteristics and guidelines for making great public spaces. One of which is that it reflects the local culture and history. Since Trinidad and Tobago is striving for developed nation status by the year 2020, I saw great relevance in the need for highlighting the value of urban public space as it is a core tenant of modern cities. Something that is often forgotten about by our local planners.

The social significance of public spaces has been discussed thoroughly in literature by numerous architects, planners, sociologist and geographers alike. According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, public spaces' social value 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 and Cattell et al., 2006). Places can provide opportunities for social interaction, social mixing and social inclusion, and can facilitate the development of community ties. 

Jane Jacobs also argues that cities can provide something for everyone only because and only when they are created for everyone. Cultural and historical display of the people is thus a very important element in fostering the sense of attachment and social interaction that public spaces can bring about.

Poster Highlighting accomplishments of Trinbagonians
Celebrating 50 years of Independance

Brian Lara Statue on Brian Lara Promenade

Panman on downtown street

Tribute to Trinbagonian Olympians on the Waterfront

To me these photos represent the bits of cultural displays found in and around Port of Spain. The picture of the statue of Brian Lara on the promenade was built long after the promenade was named after him, but it was felt that more needed to be done to honor such a great man who brought international recognition to Trinidad and Tobago through his cricketing prowess. As POS is a port of entry to cruise ships and the capital of Trinidad it should be common place. The poster highlighting great achievements of Trinbagonians that celebrates the country's 50th anniversary of Independence is also quite fitting as a display of history and culture, and although it was erected for a short term purpose, it has since been left up and brings great pride and knowledge to the cityscape not to mention the fact that it brightens up and covers the remnants of the demolished Salvatory Building (Trinidad's former tallest building which was less than 20 stories). The pan man on a busy afternoon street not only encoperates a lively display of the national instrument but it shows how people can use public space for their own benefit.

Trinidad and Tobago still has a long way to go in the reverence it holds for public space and what it can do to encoperate culture into the city landscape. Planners still need to be mindful of planning a city for people and not one for buildings and vehicles. 

Resources

The Social value of public spaces.

http://www.jrf.org.uk/sites/files/jrf/2050-public-space-community.pdf

The American Association of Planners
  http://www.planning.org/greatplaces/spaces/characteristics.htm           

Sharifa                    

The Familiar Stranger

“Smile at strangers and you just might change a life.” 
― Steve Maraboli

I stumbled across one of the most fascinating articles titled "The Familiar Stranger: comfort, anxiety and play in public places" when trying to find inspiration for my blog post. This was a concept that I always thought about so i was greatly excited to see it as published research. The familiar stranger is defined by psychologist Stanley Milgram as individuals we often observe but don't interact with. Urban living and public spaces are filled with familiar strangers! Think of all the faces we see day to day, it is almost impossible to remember them all, but yet there are those that stand out, due to a particular quirk or the simple fact of repetitive meetings with no direct interaction. 
There are countless familiar strangers that pop into my mind and they are mostly colorful characters, road side vendors, or even common passerbys. According to Paulos and Goodman (authors of the article) the fixed place strangers are the ones who's absence we note along our urban day to day living.
Another interesting feature of the research was the idea that the further away from our routine we encounter our familiar stranger, the more likely we are to acknowledge them and treat them as a close friend. For example if we were to have an encounter with the lady we see selling pies on the street corner in a place far removed from our routine, such as a vacation abroad, it would be typical to break the no interaction barrier and treat her as a friend by engaging in conversation.

Places we meet Familiar Strangers

This picture to me represents the essence of familiar strangers. Travelling day to day is extremely routine and mindless to many. High traffic urban streets, crosswalks, intersections are all places that we utilize and sometimes see that familiar face of a person we do not know. Public spaces and urban life go hand in hand with familiar strangers.


The article also offers insight to the anxiety that urban public places breed as well as how city planning and public spaces can foster unity among familiar strangers, making them less strange. I would give it a read. 
http://repository.cmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1213&context=hcii

All throughout this post I couldn't get two songs out of my mind so here they are, aptly titled and all. Both teaching lessons of strangers becoming friends.

Trying to keep my post short and sweet
Sharifa













“There's an opposite to déjà vu. They call it jamais vu. It's when you meet the same people or visit places, again and again, but each time is the first. Everybody is always a stranger. Nothing is ever familiar.” 
― Chuck Palahniuk, Choke

The Importance of Public Space

PUBLIC SPACES: AN EXPLORATION

This blog has been forsaken for quite some time, due to me always forgetting my camera at home at the most perfect times. Instead i would wonder through various urban places and contemplate what this entire blog journey really meant to me. Then i thought to myself EUREKA!! Why not examine the very same urban spaces that i travel through aimlessly each day. Why not make sense of my surroundings and the things i took for granted each day. So there began my journey. I took all my pictures and made notes on them yet failed to publish them..... until today.

Men playing Chess on the Brian Lara Promenade.

This is a pretty mundane activity that I would normally pass by at any given time of day on my way to City Gate in order to get to school but i put on my Geographical lenses and only then did I truly appreciate its sociological meaning.

“Cultures and climates differ all over the world,” notes architect Jan Gehl , “but people are the same. They will gather in public if you give them a good place to do it." 

Old man relaxing on the promenade while others gather to watch chess match

Public space can be simply defined as a social space, generally open and accessible to people, examples include :sidewalks, roads, parks, squares, beaches, public thoroughfares and public libraries. The importance of these such spaces is generally lost, under/unappreciated. The question I asked myself is "Why are Public Spaces important"? The picture begins to answer this, later post will discuss it further.

According to Jay Walljasper, public spaces are the starting point for all community,commerce and democracy. Public spaces are important because they give the ordinary person a sense of belonging. They provide a place to sit,talk, meet, relax, read and my favorite of all people watch, or in the case of elderly men a place to gather and play chess. Although their activity looks restricted to chess playing, as evidence of the photo there are more spectators than players and when questioned most of the men agreed that they enjoyed meeting up with lifelong friends, making new ones, discussing matters of the day and just having something to do in their retirement.

The points highlighted to me as to why these men came to watch and play chess religiously also sparked a light bulb in my mind. Later on I found a pattern when taking my pictures, that those persons who frequented public spaces were generally of an older age and more typically male. All of which would be discussed in further posts.

Helpful Resources

https://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/07/18-2

http://cairobserver.com/post/27620273940/jan-gehl-on-the-need-for-public-space#.UWyDWaJwqSp

Stay tuned for more of my Urban Public Spaces Chronicles

Sharifa 

Welcome

Welcome to my Urban Geography Blog,

Palm Trees in the heart of the city

The smallest patch of green to arrest the monotony of asphalt and concrete is as important to the value of real estate as streets, sewers and convenient shopping

(James Felt)

This blog will focus mainly on urban public spaces, what they are, what they mean and their importance. 
Public Space is simply defined as any space open and accessible to all people.The above quote and photograph represent the greatness, beauty and value of public space. They both offer a slight peek into what is to come.

Stay tuned......