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Architecture vocabulary · Urban Planning and Design

Public space

Meaning in architecture, with examples

nounCore term

In architecture, public space means: Space that is open and accessible to everyone, such as streets, squares, parks, waterfronts and the public areas of civic buildings.

In Turkish: kamusal alan, kamusal mekan

How it is used

A central idea in urban design and in many competition briefs. Architects create, activate and improve public space, and discuss its quality, safety and accessibility. 'Public realm' is a common British term for the whole network of public spaces.

Example sentences

  1. The ground floor is set back to create a new public space in front of the library.

  2. A good public space needs shade, seating and reasons for people to stay.

Common collocations

  • create public space
  • quality of public space
  • public realm
  • open public space
  • walkabilityHow easy, safe and pleasant it is to walk around an area, depending on things like pavement width, shade, crossings, street life and distance to daily needs.
  • courtyardAn open-air space surrounded fully or partly by walls or buildings, used to bring light, air and privacy into the heart of a building.
  • master planA long-term plan for developing a large area, such as a campus, neighbourhood or city district, showing land uses, buildings, streets, open spaces and phases.
  • mixed-useDescribing a building or area that combines different uses, such as housing, shops, offices and public facilities, instead of keeping them separate.
  • human scaleThe quality of buildings and spaces whose size and details relate comfortably to the human body, so that people feel at ease rather than small or lost.

More terms: Urban Planning and Design

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