10 Principles for Great Public Spaces

Mackenzie Keast, writing for Urban Times, reports on the Project for Public Spaces handbook:

10 fundamental principles for placemaking have been identified by PPS as the keys to vibrant, safe, and attractive public spaces:

1. Improve Streets as Public Spaces


2. Create Squares and Parks as Multi-Use Destinations


3. Build Local Economies Through Markets


4. Design Buildings to Support Places


5. Link a Public Health Agenda to a Public Space Agenda


6. Reinvent Community Planning


7. Power of 10


8. Create a Comprehensive Public Space Agenda


9. Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper: Start Small, Experiment


10. Restructure Government to Support Public Spaces

I haven’t had a chance yet to review the entire report, but I like where it is headed. In particular, I think linking public health with the built environment is extremely important. We have separated for too long the effect the built environment has on our lifestyles and in turn the effect our lifestyles has on our health.

The draft Placemaking and the Future of Cities is available for download from the Project for Public Spaces.