"[R]eliance on the private sector to supply publicly accessible spaces often results in the creation of vibrant but frenetic and highly programmed 'festival' spaces in which designers employ an array of techniques, tools, and activities to manipulate and program the use of such spaces. ... They often fail to serve some of the other important goals we ask public spaces to fulfill, such as respite from the hustle and bustle of life in a dense, urban environment. This increased emphasis on programming threatens the ability to create and maintain simple spaces that serve as welcoming, inclusive retreats."
Jeremy Németh and Stephan Schmidt, from "The Privatization of Public Space: Modeling and Measuring Publicness," in Environment and Planning B, 2011
See also "Space, Place and the City: Emerging Research on Public Space Design and Planning," introduction to a themed issue on "The Production of Public Space" in the Journal of Urban Design, 2010.
This is part of a collection of quotes related to cities. They don't necessarily reflect our views, just topics of interest. We welcome you to add others.
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