The Development of Catholic Chapels in Ireland Prior to Catholic Emancipation, 1778–1829

Specific locations of small objects of sacral architecture in the landscape represent both tangible and intangible values, which are the result of long-lasting ties between man – society and the landscape. The objects of small sacral architecture, small chapels, statues of saints, crucifixes, small belfries or other typological forms of small sacral objects, are located at specific places, important sites linked to the life of local inhabitants, on places with good visibility and accessibility, for example along roads, at crossroads, at borders of settlements, field boundaries, or elevated locations, determining compositional linkages in space. We have examined the location patterns of objects of small sacral architecture in rural landscapes of Eastern Slovakia, in selected cadastral areas of village settlements in the district Vranov nad Topľou, in the Prešov region. The results of the research show that most of the locations in the open landscape outside of the built-up area of settlements are the road-side locations along currently used roads or along the field roads and abandoned former roads which in the past connected the villages. Only a few are found on sites near springs of mineral water, or on elevated top-hill position. Within the built-up areas of settlements, the most of objects of small sacral architecture are located in the private fenced spaces of front gardens; only a few are located in public space. Many objects of small sacral architecture are abandoned, vanish from the rural landscape, deteriorate and fall into decay. The reinvention of their values and their valorization will help to preserve the character and traditional local identity of rural cultural landscapes.

Public spaces are vital features in the urban context which offers inclusive environment for everyone in the society. Traditionally, urban public spaces (UPS) were developed by the government intended for places of interaction with the aims of social welfare and public health. In the recent past, private sector involvement in the public space provision was visible with significant changes in the form and functions influenced by market-based motives. Although commercialization or privatization aspects of public space was often debated, the user perception of the use of public spaces from ownership and access control aspects were less studied in the context of developing countries. This study aimed at identifying the attributes for which people differentiate and experience in four public spaces owned and operated by the government and private sector in the city of Colombo, Sri Lanka. The study used 35 semi-structured interviews and 119 online questionnaire surveys to identify the user defined features of ownership and access control for public space use. The results revealed that government owned and operated spaces were preferred by the users due to easy access and freedom for activities while privately owned spaces were preferred due to better infrastructure, safety, and security within. Also, each public space offered benefits to specific user profile regardless its ownership or access controls. However, the freedom and openness provided by government owned spaces were identified as important in comparison with the restrictions imposed by private sector operated public spaces. This study provides key insights for urban planners and policy makers to identify the role of private sector in the provision of effective urban spaces in the fast-growing cities as well as possible pitfalls and negative externalities created by unregulated spaces

This research investigates the impact of urban furnishing elements in public spaces on children’s behavior within the urban environment. The study is grounded in the premise that the urban environment is not solely composed of built structures but also of the voids and open spaces that give the city vitality and social meaning. Public spaces, as integral components of the urban fabric, represent essential venues for social interaction and community engagement. Since the 1980s, urban theorists such as Jane Jacobs, Jan Gehl, and Geoffrey West have emphasized the need to reconsider the design of public spaces to ensure harmony between spatial organization, social behavior, and the quality of urban life. Children are among the social groups most in need of such spaces and the most affected by their design. The quality, diversity, and arrangement of urban furnishing elements—both natural (vegetation, water features) and man-made (benches, shading devices, lighting, signage, and artistic installations)—play a decisive role in shaping children’s psychological, social, and perceptual development. Conversely, poorly designed or inadequately maintained public spaces can have negative behavioral, cultural, and health impacts on children, diminishing their sense of belonging and connection to their urban surroundings. In the Algerian context, despite the legislative efforts—particularly Article 124 of Municipal Law No. 10-11, which assigns municipalities the responsibility for creating and maintaining public and green spaces—many public areas remain poorly equipped and fail to address the needs of children. The study adopts a statistical methodology based on questionnaires distributed to parents accompanying their children in public spaces during weekends and school holidays. The questionnaire aims to assess parents’ perceptions of public spaces, evaluate the adequacy of urban furnishing elements, and identify their influence on children’s behavior and interaction patterns. The research ultimately seeks to highlight the importance of public spaces as essential extensions of private living environments and to propose design strategies that enhance children’s engagement, comfort, and social development in urban contexts.

Arab Patriotism: The Ideology and Culture of Power in Late Ottoman Egypt

The main objectives of research work presented in the paper are: 1/Exploring the urban design solutions of public hybrid spaces in contemporary cities, which are the outstanding examples of expressive identity, 2/Carrying out the modern interpretation of principles of composition of hybrid public spaces (in urban scale), 3/Exploring the urban design solutions of public hybrid spaces, on the example of student’s works realized at The Faculty of Architecture, The Warsaw University of Technology, in The Chair of Urban Design and Rural Landscape - the detailed studies concerning spatial forms, functions and transport system. The research work has been realized with taking into consideration existing state of knowledge and use of methods proper for morphological investigations of city space. There have been used various research methods: method of analysis and critique of sources (planning documents, design projects and literature), observation method, comparative method, etc. The main conclusions: 1/The development of public hybrid spaces is connected with limiting of territorial growth of cities and supporting the development of their inner areas, what contributes to creation of the efficient spatial form and sustainable development of contemporary cities, 2/Public hybrid spaces contribute to a high degree to preserve or to create cultural identity of the city. In the face of broadening phenomenon of making uniform of the townscape of contemporary cities, shaping their identity should become a basic need of every city.

Green InfrastructureGreen infrastructure (GI) is part of nature-based solutionsNature-based solution to mitigate and adapt the local microclimate and climate of urban areas to climate changeClimate change. In ItalyItaly, the lack of green elements in urban spaces of medium-sized cities calls for improvement of the urban ecological networkEcological network due to citizens’ demands for better well-beingWell-being and health. This chapter indicates the need to launch a national campaign to deseal over-paved public urban spaces and plant new green elements by 2030 as public space design actions. Limiting and then stopping soil sealingSoil sealing is the first condition to rethink public spaces in Italian, and even European, cities in a more holistic and resilient way. Secondly, encouraging citizen activism towards urban GI is strategic in resilient policies to improve connectivity and networking of the social fabric, as confirmed by the reported international and national cases. In this regard, GI is considered a multi-benefit solution that should be planned according to new digital tools in planning and architecture. The aim is to identify the most critical areas within the urban context that need to be depaved to accommodate green canopies, trees, green roofs, and other solutions with an approach potentially replicable in Italian and European cities.

1. Introduction Ali Madanipour Part 1. Changing Nature of Public Space in City Centres Ali Madanipour 2. Less Public Than Before? Public Space Improvement in Newcastle City Centre Muge Akkar Ercan 3. Youth Participation and Revanchist Regimes: Redeveloping Old Eldon Square, Newcastle upon Tyne Peter Rogers 4. Can Public Space Improvement Revive the City Centre? The Case of Taichung, Taiwan Hong-Che Chen 5. Change in the public spaces of traditional cities: Zaria, Nigeria Shaibu Bala Garba Part 2. Public Space and Everyday Life in Urban Neighbourhoods Ali Madanipour 6. Marginal Public Spaces in Europe Ali Madanipour 7. Gating the Streets: The Changing Shape of Public Spaces in South Africa Karina Landman 8. Public Spaces within Modern Residential Areas in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Khalid Nasralden Mandeli 9. The Design and Development of Public Open Spaces in an Iranian New Town 10. Making Public Space in Low Income Neighbourhoods in Mexico Mauricio Hernandez Bonilla 11. Co-Production of Public Space: Redefinition of Social Meaning, the Case of Nord-Pas de Calais, France Paola Michialino 12. Whose Public Space?Ali Madanipour

<abstract> <p>This paper, set against the backdrop of folk culture and rural landscapes in China's western regions, delves into the pivotal role of territorial landscape aesthetics theory in the design of public spaces in new rural areas. It offers innovative ideas and methodologies for rural spatial planning and design. The concept of the "New Countryside" aims to enhance rural residents' quality of life, propel rural modernization, and foster integrated urban-rural development. Employing the analytic network process (ANP), this study establishes an assessment framework for evaluating folk cultural rural landscapes, encompassing natural, social, and economic dimensions as indicators, and analyzes the weightings between influencing factors. The research findings underscore the significant impact of territorial landscape aesthetics on elevating rural landscapes. Building upon these findings, the paper presents recommendations for the design of public spaces in tourism-oriented rural areas of China's western regions. These recommendations encompass preserving historical relics and traditional dwellings, integrating folk culture into public artistic designs and enhancing rural cultural heritage exhibitions that depict local customs, traditions, and accomplishments. These suggestions are aimed at enhancing the quality and appeal of rural landscapes, thereby fostering the development of local tourism. Through an in-depth exploration of the application of territorial landscape aesthetics, it is hoped that this study can offer valuable guidance and inspiration for the design of public spaces in tourism-focused rural areas of China's western regions, while actively contributing to the preservation and promotion of folk culture.</p> </abstract>

In XX century the new model of social relation based mainly on consumption was introduced. This change in social life inflict also the urban space – the City become a field of investment game. Even the pedestrian open space become the commodity, which been used for investing and accumulating of capital. This change leads to creation of the new type of pedestrian city spaces, called by some authors hybrid spaces. These urban spaces have become a place for meetings and strolls for the new generation of urban flaneur. It can be observed that the consequence of the commodification of public spaces is the creation of the specific amusement parks for adults. Access to such hybrid city areas is restricted, and activities are limited by private owners. Some authors claims that commodification and privatization of urban space is a threat to the functioning of the public space by limiting the activity of users, especially some important social functions - from unstimulated and uncontrolled meetings with the “other” and “foreign”, up to public gatherings, social protests and conflicts. Limitations and access reduced to selected social groups are the essential origin of conflicts and tensions, as exemplified by the 2011 events at Zuccotti Park. The article analyze the privatized pedestrian space the “Manufaktura” shopping center in Lodz (Central Poland). It is one of the largest private city plaza in Europe. This text should allow to better understanding of the functions of the hybrid spaces in the contemporary city. Author focused on evaluation from the users’ point of view, as well as in a broader social and urban context and buildings (this includes: the large shopping gallery, amusement park, hotel, cinema, theatre, two museums, numerous clubs, cafes and restaurants) located around the privately owned plaza. According to some sources it is the largest private city plaza in Europe. The purpose of this text is to allow a better understanding of the specificity of the hybrid space in the city (its functions, advantages and disadvantages evaluated from the users’ point of view, as well as in a broader social and urban context). It also should contribute to the search for a proper balance between private and public open spaces in the city.

Since the 1990s transition period and especially since 2000 public space in Croatia has repeatedly been violated by private interest. This is visible in coastal regions, rural landscapes, urban green areas, parks, squares, and streets which have been completely or partly privatized. Urban actors (economic, political, civil, and professional) play different roles in these changes, and there is a hierarchy in their relations: economic and political actors are very powerful and have a prominent place in urban and suburban spatial transformations. Civil society actors and professionals, on the other hand, have very little control or influence. Urban actors have different interests and conflicting opinions. The results of our research (qualitative research method of semi-structured interviews with various experts) show that today spatial changes are mostly dictated by economic actors in a close alliance with political actors. It is therefore vital that in future we clearly define public space and public interest and educate society about their importance. Only then can inadequate private intervention in public space be prevented and a balance between private and public interest be restored with all actors making decisions together. This is, after all, a real, participatory democracy that all transition societies (including Croatia) aim to achieve.

This special issue of The Journal of Public Space on “Public Space and Placemaking in African Cities” raises awareness and articulates the importance and value of urban public space in the context of the African continent. A key contemporary driver of such issues is the context of Africa's urbanisation, which is exponentially faster than comparable processes in the Global North. A vibrant, diverse and supportive public life in these contexts will increasingly become a critical public good, which will depend on the conceptualisation, design, development, process and maintenance of public space.Already the continent’s vast diversity of communities and cultures is visible in the utilization of public open spaces such as streets and markets and the congestion of pedestrian activities therein. The so-called ‘informality’ of many of these urban conditions is indicative of the increasing imperatives of public space. Such spaces are often faced with extraordinary demands, not easily visible in cities of the Global North. They are often expected – or forced – to accommodate extensive forms of cultural diversity, from street markets and food and drink, to outdoor gyms and children’s playgrounds, to dance and ceremonies, and even the urban presence of cattle and livestock. Yet a lack of appropriate planning can also lead to conflict and an exacerbation of incidences of urban insecurity.

Nowadays we are facing an unprecedented situation: the ‘urban’ is complex, like never before, and a great suffer comes from the humanity as a whole. The rise of poverty has generated conflicts and political instability in many countries. Equity, social justice and democracy are challenged by private interests and public space is seriously at risk. The New Urban Agenda adopted at the Habitat III conference and the related Sustainable Development Goals and their targets, with particular reference to SDG 11.7[1], recognize that public space is a key element for sustainable urban development. I strongly and passionately believe that public space is a fundamental human right, it is so precious but also so fragile that needs to be protected and preserved, if we really want to build cities for all, leaving no one behind.
 
 [1] According to the global indicator framework, the target retlated to SDG 11.7 is: ‘By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities’ - https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg11

With constantly changing societal needs, along with population growth and increasing urbanisation pressures, open public spaces are constantly competing against other land-uses to accommodate the increasing urban pressures. Societies and cities call for an approach to reclaim public space for public use, to provide opportunities for people to meet and interact, and to develop a sense of belonging to a place. It is for this reason that social sustainability is becoming a crucial consideration within the urban context, seeking balance between economic developments, environmental challenges and the demands and preferences of modern societies. This article includes various theories and literature, reflecting on the importance of social sustainability in the urban context and the role of the Third Place in facilitating social sustainability. The concept of Third Places is considered as any space other than our homes (First Place) or work (Second Place), manifesting as a component of well-defined public places designed to enhance civic identity, quality of life, social capital and community revitalisation, whilst improving economic development. The Third Place concept is thus introduced in this article as an umbrella concept combining the physical realm and design of the social space and is considered from the perspective of the place-making approach, the lively planning approach and the green urbanism approach. These approaches were collectively employed as part of a qualitative enquiry to inform a theory-based framework to enhance social sustainability through the planning of Third Places. Although social sustainability has become increasingly influential in the urban planning context, limited research to guide urban planning approaches towards enhanced social sustainability exist, especially within the South African context. The lack of practical application of existing planning theories has resulted in the widening of the theory–practice gap and alternative approaches should be considered to enhance social sustainability. The proposed theory-based framework, based on the theory and literature of this article, will finally aim to inform the study of Third Place consideration for enhanced social sustainability within the South African planning context.

Although there has been a long tradition of public space-related land speculation and development, the recent success of the High Line in New York has highlighted the transformative effect carefully designed and curated public spaces can have on the local economy. By prioritising exchange value over use value, governments and developers are exploiting the production of public spaces as a means for financial, political and other forms of returns. This paper argues that commodification of public space both transcends and encompasses other processes such as privatisation and commercialisation, and it is essential to study how it is manifested in different urban contexts. This paper sets out to examine how commodification of public space has taken form in Hong Kong, a global city where public spaces have mostly been an afterthought and box-checking exercise in the planning process. By reflecting on the social production of three recently completed waterfront public spaces across the city, this paper suggests that even though the commodification of public space has taken on very different forms in Hong Kong, the public spaces in question all display certain characteristics and features that can be attributed to the decline of publicness and inclusivity in public space.

Deciphering public spaces in urban contexts: geophysical survey, multi-element soil analysis, and artifact distributions at the 15th–16th-century AD Swahili settlement of Songo Mnara, Tanzania