Constructing a conceptual tool of sociable public places: An integrated approach

Abstract

This paper presents an attempt to construct a conceptual tool for urban designers, architects, and landscape architects to use for developing an analytical guideline model for redevelopment of sociable public open spaces in contemporary cities. The construction of the conceptual tool is developed based on the integration between the continuum place-shaping process and the qualities of sociability in public open spaces as a direct outcome of such process; an issue that has been omitted by most post-occupancy review of urban design projects. Consequently, the theoretical knowledge of this paper is constructed based on readings and pertinent research studies of place-shaping process, place sociability and place phenomenon that are relevant to the research problem. The theoretical foundation of thoughts and concepts are combined to create a conceptual tool to understand place-shaping of sociable public places as a real assemblage. This conceptual tool is put forward as a positive step for establishing analytical guideline models for redevelopment of sociable public spaces. This tool can also be used as a comprehensive evaluation method based on the integration between place-shaping process and places that are in a changeable emergence state over time