Public Space

Reimagined Public Spaces and Programming During the Pandemic
Public spaces have become more important than ever. Here are five case studies of innovative and safely designed programming that engages people of all ages and backgrounds.

How to Build Thriving Digital Public Spaces
Much of communal life now takes place virtually in digital spaces that feel public but are not. The internet needs to be more like our public parks, libraries, and public squares.

Seattle Extends Outdoor Dining for a Year, Eases Rules on Heaters for the Winter
Outdoor dining is going to hang out for a bit.

Imagine Honolulu Without its Beaches
Beaches and parks on Oahu are closed to the public once again as the city attempts to control the spread of COVID-19.

I Love the Nightlife: Reopening Entertainment Scenes
The first chapter of a forthcoming report form VibeLab, a nightlife consultancy firm, makes a variety of pertinent suggestions for facilitating al fresco events and safely regulating crowds in a new context.

Staying Healthy During the Pandemic
Local parks and green spaces that enable safe social distancing have never been more important to people living in cities. The Trust for Public Land has released a new report showing their importance and the challenges they are facing.

Parks on Wheels to Deliver Recreational Services to Underserved Areas
It has been over 25 years since urban planning professor Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris discussed the idea of "mobile parks" to meet recreational needs. The idea is still relevant today.

Anti-Racist Reforms for the Urban Planning Status Quo
An urban planner in Vancouver defines the roots of racism in city building, and calls on urban planners to be more effective anti-racist allies.

Revealed: New Parks Master Plan for San Diego
The second most populous city in California, San Diego, wants to revolutionize its approach to planning parks and open space.

Public Spaces Converted to Open-Air Cafes to Make Space for Social Distance
The Lithuanian capital city of Vilnius has taken an incredible step in reopening for business while requiring strict social distancing practices.

Lessons Emerge as Cities Cede Public Space to Contain the Pandemic
One of the dominant themes to emerge from the spread of COVID-19 is the conflict between the need to be in nature for health and well-being while avoiding public space as much as possible to prevent the spread.

L.A.'s Pershing Square Headed for Redesign
The first phases of a plan to remake the downtown Los Angeles plaza into a more inviting, accessible public space are going to kick off soon.

Recoupling Planning and Landscape Architecture
A closer marriage between planning and landscape architecture would mean strong connections between the processes of policy making and place making.

S.F. Park Will Provide Panoramic Views of the Bay
In the northwest part of San Francisco, a new park will link the Presidio to the popular Crissy Field.

Sports-Related Development Transforming San Francisco's Waterfront South of Downtown
The Giants announced two massive development proposals in recent weeks, and the Warriors are opening a new arena to regular season games later this week.

From Parking Lot to Urban Green Space
The first of four new parks opening in Dallas in the next few years opened earlier this month—Pacific Plaza park.

Brooklyn Navy Yard's Transformation in High Gear
A Curbed feature details the ongoing transformation of a formerly inaccessible and inhospitable corner of New York City.

New Car-Free Public Space Remains a Challenge to Create
A new study from Drexel University's Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation surveys the obstacles and challenges making it more difficult to build car-free public spaces, like plazas and parklets, in Philadelphia.

Designs Revealed for Manhattan's First Public Beach
A designer was chosen in January, and conceptual rendering were released in July. Project boosters are also pushing an ambitious timeline that would start construction in late 2020.

Boston City Hall Plaza Ready for a Makeover
Bostonians love to hate City Hall Plaza. That could change, as the city finalizes a renovation project that aims to transform the way the public sees the city's government.
Pagination
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