Flexible Urban Public Spaces and their Designing Principles. J. Civil Eng. Urban., 8 (4): 39-43. www.ojceu.ir;
Author: Sanei M, Khodadad S; Khodadad M (2018).
Date: 2018-08-23T05:47:57.760729+00:00

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 Sanei1, Solmaz Khodadad2 and Mina Khodadad1

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

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ABSTRACT: Urban public spaces are available for everyone regardless of race, age or gender and are democratic v
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social places for citizens and the society. A public space in the neighbourhood is an available opportunity for neighbours e
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to have communications, like friendly chats in a fenced garden or even public meetings in local parks, and social-J

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cultural interactions as results. Although architectural landscapes and public spaces are totally specified places, but for l
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various reasons, such as creating good connectivity with other spaces and between space users, they may need some 5

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

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the measurements. Therefore, possibilities of changes in both structure and functions of the spaces should be predicted 8

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

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

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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
spaces. It consists three major terms and
concepts: public spaces, flexibility and social

Nowadays urban planners and designers
interactions, each of which has been the subject
consider human-related aspects of public spaces
of numerous studies. To reach the goal of the
more than before and also people are more
research, it is necessary to examine and
enthusiastic in participation in these spaces
recognize each of these topics in previous

(Gehl and Gemzøe, 2004). Due to gathering of
studies and pay attention to their importance in
people and then remaining in the space,
the design of public spaces. Some design and
physical quality of public spaces is the first
management suggestions are extracted, then,
factor to activate these spaces socially. Urban
which could be helpful increasing the flexibility
public spaces find their meanings with humans’

of an urban public space. Library research
presence and activities, and more than their
method is used for data collecting. This article
physical roles, they are important for creating
takes a look at each of the presented titles in
social interactions among citizens. Public
previous studies and their importance in
spaces are set of elements, which cause a style
designing public spaces.

of social life, and their most obvious feature is
the need for flexibility and evolution of the

Public spaces
space, both in physical and functional features.

Public spaces in cities have long been the

The present research is a descriptive-analytic
basis used for the expression of cultural values
study, which focuses on flexible architectural
and social relations (Sanei et al., 2017). Public
design, as one of effective methods in
spaces are components of the public sphere
promoting social interactions in urban public

(Habermas, 1989). The public sphere is where

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

39
strangers meet; it stands in contrast to the
passing from one point to another, which have
private sphere, where close relationships, such
to be clear and easy to see, unless it will be
as the family, flourish (Sennett, 1977). Like
helpful just for people who are familiar with the
other components of the public sphere; such as
space. Flexibility can be a strategic programme
the mass media, civic institutions, and informal
which makes optimal use of urban resources for
civil behaviours; we conceptualize public
developing and meeting the needs of cities in
spaces as an opportunity for the exchange of
the future. Flexibility is generally referred to the
messages with diverse others. Public spaces
ability of change in objects. In particular, in
include a city’s streets, sidewalks, parks, and
architecture, environmental design and other
plazas to which all persons have legal access
related research fields, the term "flexibility"

(Lofland, 1973). Thus, the distinguishing
means creating spatial adaptability and
feature that separates public space from private
changing the human space organization in order
space is that it minimizes the segregation of
to achieve new conditions, solutions and
people based on lifestyles, such as their
applications. On the one hand, some spaces
opinions, income, gender, and race (Strauss,
provide many activities without re-organizing;

1976). Urban public space is defined as the
on the other hand, some others can be changed
physical space and social relations that
to meet different needs. Environment designers
determine the use of that space within the non-
have used the terms "versatility" and
private realm of cities (Brown, 2006). Urban

"flexibility" for these two cases. Adaptive
public spaces play major roles in the real city
spatial organization is a plan that provides
life, from socio-economic issues to cultural and
behavioural patterns at different times without
environmental matters (Khodadad and Sanei,
the need for physical changes for flexible and

2016). Places can provide opportunities for
multi-functional spaces (Einifar, 2003).

social interaction, social mixing and social

Change is inevitable in today societies,
inclusion, and can facilitate the development of
and like all aspects of contemporary life,
communities. In landscape architecture and
architecture should similarly offer an
urban planning, understanding of the
appropriate response to such changes for
contribution of public space in the urban area
remaining sustainable, useful and appropriate
and the relationship between people and this

(Khodadad and Sanei, 2017). According to the
environment have been developed as early as
needs of the community and audiences, science

1900s (Thompson, 1998, Thompson, 2002).

of architecture always has seek creative ways to

The social value of public space is wide ranging
optimize the space for contacts in different
and lies in the contribution it makes to people’s
fields (Khodadad et al., 2018). In fact, the goal
attachment to their locality and opportunities
of creating flexible spaces is to create new
for mixing with others, and in people’s memory
spaces for the required functions by simple
of places (Dines et al., 2006).

structural changes (Mahdavinezhad et al.,

2011). The flexibility of an environment is its

Flexibility in architecture and urban
capacity to adapt to changes made by users, and
design
flexibility of the environment refers to its

The concept of flexibility is obtained from
readiness to welcome users’ effects (Turan,

Latin references in urban context studies

2016). Therefore, the more an environment is
conducted on environmental systems’ behaviour
responsive to changes, the higher flexibility it
usually against tensions and disorders rooted
will have. In the book entitled “The Death and
from exterior factors (Davic and Welsh Jr,

Life of Great American Cities”, Jacobs stated

2004), and indicates “durability of relationships
that cities which could survive and become
in system” (Barnett, 2001). Flexibility, in
sustainable are those physical design of which
general terms, is defined as ability of bending,
has been efficiently corrected through basic
variability, being non-sensitive to
changes in activity patterns (Jacobs, 1961).

modifications, readiness and capacity for
compatibility with different purposes or

Social life
conditions (Till and Schneider, 2005). A flexible

Individuals shape social communication
urban space is positively coherent with certain
based on their own interests and act according
limitations which can provide an optimum size
to their expectations, norms and roles.

and proper shape in a good relation with space

Therefore, the presence of a person in a place
characteristics and performance (Davic and
along with others is a strong factor affecting

Welsh Jr, 2004). Flexibility of public spaces
one's decision on staying in that environment.

depends on the amount of considered ways for

In this regard, people may even search for

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

40

places where individuals with similar
wherever they spend their time. In his
characteristics, in terms of gender, religion, life
opinion, an inviting urban space is a space
style, education, income, and race, are present.

that we can meet with our fellow citizens

However, while homogeneity of people
face-to-face and experiment it directly with
encourages visits and increases interactions
our senses (Gehl, 2011). John Lang
with physical and social places, and
describes social spaces as "welcoming
consequently promotes attachments to that
location, non-homogeneous social places can be
places," and believes that such spaces are
also beneficial for individuals to experience
environments that can improve human
good and free social interactions (Cooper
experiences. A social space has to have a

Marcus and Sarkissian, 1986).

human scale and be a platform for a variety

The process of socialization is reachable
of behaviours and activities, and has to
by making social interactions between the users
have the ability to accept the citizens'

of architectural public spaces, and the ability to
desired behaviours (Lang, 1987). Social
effectively interact with others, whether in
spaces that are the source of everyday life,
private life or in public and professional life of
are multipurpose and flexible spaces which
humans, is vital (Forgas, 1985). Increasing of
provides many of the activities and uses of
socialization is based on the presence of people
in urban spaces, social interactions between
the users, and provides the coordination
them and the human need for a sense of social
between its social users (Lennard et al.,
belonging and being with others (Hafezifar,

1993).

2011). In addition, communications in public
spaces promote the spirit of solidarity, personal

FLEXIBLE URBAN PUBLIC SPACES: tools to
growth, and the development and improvement
improve social interactions
of appropriate behavioural patterns (Mardomi

This paper argues for a flexible and
and Ghamari, 2011). Figure 1 represents
organized use of urban public spaces to achieve
important factors affecting social interactions
more social communications among individuals
among people in cities, according to Ghanbaran
within such spaces. The concept of flexibility in
and Jafari’s research.

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. 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.

Figure 1. Significant features influencing social

Ascher mentions, “new urbanisms should be a
interactions in urban areas (Ghanbaran and Jafari, 2014).

flexible urbanism, aesthetically opened,
reflexive, with active participation and,

Social spaces and social life in urban
formally speaking, an urbanism of devices able
public spaces
to elaborate and negotiate solutions rather than

In definition of urban social spaces,
drawing specific plans” (Ascher, 2001).

Jan Gehl emphasizes on space invitation

Urban public spaces, as places for creating
more than other features, and he gives
social interactions of citizens and generating a
meaning to the city according to its
framework for facilitating social relationships,
attractiveness and massive crowds that
can expand obtaining common purposes in a
come together in the public spaces and
society and develop the sense of solidarity,
cooperation and public participation among the

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

41
people in cities. These spaces are valuable in

 Utilizing mobile urban furniture alongside fixed
terms of sustainability and social, political and
furniture like giant chess fields.

physical life, and can be used as locations for

 Using smart and multi-functional urban furniture
production and reproduction of culture and the
to enhance performance of the space.

collective identity. From this view, it has a close

 Creating active frontage by making cooperation
link with sustainability of a community and its
among buildings and the public space.

cohesion. The possibility of diversity and

 Forecasting the places needed for connecting
change in the public space makes people
light partitions or metal bars to the floor for holding
involve more in space. Flexible spaces with
temporary exhibitions or putting volleyball tours and
such changes are more efficient and more
more.

dynamic than normal-designed spaces, and will

 Predicting the possibility to install mobile
directly affect the motivation of the society to
canopies and ceilings in different atmospheric
create its presence. Several functionalities can
conditions.

be influential in increasing the spatial quality,

 Creating social interaction between people and
collective satisfaction, people's communication
local managers through local surveys (e.g. installing on-
and social interactions, shelf life of the space,
site digital polling boards), designing a website or
and the sense of vitality and dynamism.

mobile app, and so on.

Therefore, one criterion for increasing social

 Using public participation in holding local and
sustainability is multi-functionality of the
urban exhibitions and ceremonies.

space. Multiple design criteria should be

 Taking advantage of participatory design in the
considered to make a space flexible. Flexible
space and urban furniture design process, for example,
designing of urban public spaces can
through urban furniture design workshops.

 Creating the possibility of changing furniture and
significantly influence citizens’ lifestyles and
expand the quality of their social lives, by
space organization, once in a while, using people's
giving the community the chance to participate
opinions or holding design contests for designers or
more in common social activities and to have
students.

 Making the place open for public access at all
more effective social communications and
times of the day and year (as much as possible).

interactions.

 Creating the possibility of using different lighting

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Principles for
in place to create different spatial senses.

designing a flexible urban public space

 Creating the possibility of using other human
senses in communicating with the spaces, such as smell,

The following criteria should be taken into
taste, touch, and so on (e.g. setting up cooking events or
consideration during the design and
using different materials in space design).

management phases of a public space and can

 Using varied and changeable green spaces and
increase the flexibility of an urban public space:

vegetation.

 Increasing permeability of the space.

 Using variability where using of water (e.g.

 Paying attention to access routes and increasing
ground fountains, …)

them as much as possible (increasing the right to

 Create suitable spaces for street arts and sports.

choose).

 Using of diverse and extensive passing routes

CONCLUSION

(increasing the right to choose).

As the role of designed public spaces in

 Predicting the possibility of using various
public healthiness of a society is undeniable, it
behavioral patterns and paying attention to that at design
is necessary to ask ourselves how it is possible
time (e.g. creating edges on the walls for waiting and
to reach an urban public space, which is always
sitting).

able to change according to the needs and make

 Creating the possibility of physical expansibility
people interconnect. It is essential to come up
of the space if needed.

 Predicting the spaces needed to hold different
with some solutions for designing public spaces
events throughout the year.

that can increase the social capacity of the

 Predicting the possibility to set up temporary and
community. Flexibility is one of the factors that
street markets in different times.

can affect the quality of the physical

 Placing static factors of spaces where they cause
environment and promote social benefits. The
less constraint in flexibility of other spaces.

presence of people in a more flexible

 Using changeable city furniture, such as changing
environment will rise social sustainability, by
benches.

increasing peoples’ communication and social-
cultural interactions.

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

42

In today's societies where interactions

Dines N, Cattell V, Gesler WM and Curtis S. (2006).

between people are low, paying attention to

Public spaces, social relations and well-being in
flexibility in the public environment can lead to
east london: Policy Press;
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Einifar A. (2003). A model for flexibility analysis in
traditional iranian housing. Honarhaye Ziba. 13:

in a space which meets his needs; therefore, it is

64-77.

possible to cause his attendance in an

Forgas JP. (1985). Interpersonal behaviour: The
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psychology of social interaction: Elsevier Science
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& Technology Books;
needs. Using suitable solutions can help public

Friedman A. (1997). Design for change: Flexible
spaces to become more flexible and adaptable,
planning strategies for the 1990s and beyond.

and as a result, more inviting and sustainable, in

Journal of Urban Design. 2 (3): 277-295. DOI:

10.1080/13574809708724410.

social and architectural terms. This paper

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Gehl J and Gemzøe L. (2004). Public spaces, public life:

of this factor in enhancing social

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Ghanbaran A and Jafari M. (2014). Investigating the

Finally, some effective guidelines are
factors affecting the promotion of social
presented, which can alter an urban public
interactions among residents of the neighborhoods

(case study: District of darakeh-tehran). Iranian
space to a flexible place, where the organization

Architecture and Urbanism. 7: 57-64.

of the space could be freely changed according

Habermas J. (1989). The structural transformation of the
to the needs of the users. A suggestion for
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future researchers in the field could be

MIT Press. 85: 85-92.

analysing the most successful flexible public

Hafezifar M. (2011). Urban design with a community-
spaces according to the community’s opinion
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and compare the results with the suggestions

Armenian neighborhood of ardabil) [Thesis type].

Isfahan: Art University of Isfahan.

expressed in this article.

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DECLARATIONS

Khodadad M, Nadoshan SMM, Khodadad S and Sanei

M. (2018). Operative guidelines for sustainable

Authors’ contributions
designing of child-oriented architectural spaces.

All authors participated equally in this

Journal of Civil Engineering and Urbanism. 8 (1):

research.

6-11.

Khodadad M and Sanei M. (2016). Suggested solutions

Competing interests
to improve security in urban environment with an

Authors declare that they have no
approach of sustainable development. Secondary
competing interests.

title. Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran.

Khodadad M and Sanei M. (2017). Necessity of
collaboration between technology and architectural

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www.ojceu.ir

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