Abstract
Public spaces play a special role in the social life, culture, and traditions of historical towns. Public spaces are defined by their urban layout and architectural design and they embody the unique identity of old towns. They integrate local communities and contribute to the formation of social bonds. Urban planning and architecture play an important role in this process. The historical character of public spaces is a prerequisite for social interactions. The aim of this study was to analyze and evaluate historical urban public spaces (market squares) in three small towns in the region of Warmia in north-eastern Poland. Architectural features, urban layout, and the composition of urban and architectural factors, which are largely responsible for synthetic perception of multidimensional space, were evaluated. These goals were achieved with the use of an interpretive historical research method based on original evaluation criteria. The results were used to identify public spaces that require revitalization. Revitalization programs help preserve or revive attractive locations by restoring the right balance between economic and social factors and cultural heritage. The study demonstrated that orderly and harmonious planning of public spaces considerably influences perceptions of space.
Highlights
Public spaces have played a special role since the beginning of urban living by manifesting the identity and function of towns and cities
The market square in Reszel has the shape of a square (33.3%), whereas Dobre Miasto and Jeziorany have rectangular market squares (66.6%)
The original layout of the studied towns has been preserved to a varied degree in the course of their turbulent history, but old market squares continue to play the role of central points in the contemporary urban structure
Summary
Public spaces have played a special role since the beginning of urban living by manifesting the identity and function of towns and cities. In this respect, public spaces have a unique and timeless value. Towns were generally erected along or at the crossroads of major transportation routes and they formed a settlement network in the region. These towns had a regular network of perpendicular roads that separated densely developed districts, with a market square in the center [3]. Market squares were the hubs of trading and commerce and they were the most important public spaces in towns
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