Public space has been at the core of urban studies with the meaning of control element in any city planning. The benefit is clearly indispensable for maintaining urban productivity, social cohesion and inclusion, civic identity and quality of life. However, in the context of competing market forces and commercial interests dominating cities’ planning agendas, planning for coastal public space tends to be for economic gain rather than supporting residents’ social needs. This article examines the physical condition of coastal public space, how it is used, and what economic role it plays in city planning regarding tourism development. A comparative analysis of different coastal recreation spaces in Da Nang, Viet Nam is used to create public space design concepts emphasizing the distribution of spatial structure and to different group users. This research defines a future vision of coastal public space development in line with striking a balance between economic needs and the complexities of public space distribution in emerging development cities. Findings can contribute to creating public space design concepts emphasizing the distribution of spatial structure to different group users.
Read full abstract