Underground Public Space. Cracow’s Tunnels of Fear?

Abstract

The importance of the quality of public spaces increases with the inhabitants’ awareness. A well-designed place gives users a sense of security. Underpasses are a special type of urban space, which, despite relatively high implementation costs, are used quite often, especially in large cities. In recent years, Krakow underground passages have been called “fear tunnels”. However, not all of them cause a sense of danger. The aim of the research was to determine the factors that make the underground passage become user-friendly and do not create a sense of uncertainty? Underground passages located in various parts of the city and performing various functions were analysed. Underground public spaces have different shapes and dimensions. In the conducted research, it was analysed whether the technical parameters of the underpass - such as width and height have an impact on the user’s sense of security. It was checked how the spaces in which no services exist are perceived and whether these spaces are available to all users. The aim of the research was to determine the elements affecting the reception and use of this special type of urban space. The analysis was carried out for ten underground passages located in various parts of Krakow. Out of these ten, five spaces of the most diverse character were selected for the performance. Underground transitions with different saturation with service functions, different number of users, different degree of adaptation for people with mobility difficulties and various aesthetic level were analysed. Areas with high saturation of service functions and located in places generating a large number of users were rated as the best. Spaces with a small number of services and with the proportions of a tunnel longer than sixty meters were rated as the worst, despite the good technical condition and facilities for people with mobility problems.