Public Spaces In The 20th Century

Traditionally, according to Gehl, public spaces performed three functions: markets, meeting places and thoroughfares. “However, under conditions of industrialisation in the 20th century, new forms of traffic, trade and communications emerged that overwhelmed the traditional uses of public space.” For example: public spaces and pedestrian routes have become dominated by cars and car-based planning, leading to what Gehl calls the ‘’Invaded city‟ and even the “abandoned city‟.Cities are about people, where they go and where they meet. More important than buildings are the public spaces these buildings define. Lively spaces are key, because they are what make a city come alive. Commercial interests will always combat public spaces, which is why we need to be vigilant champions to claim and protect these spaces.

In the words of Dr Amanda Burden said that “a successful city is like having a good party, people stay because they’re having a good time” and I couldn’t agree with her more because the moment we start prioritising trade and capital, replacing public spaces with malls and

They prefer to walk through a park to along a boring suburban street. I’d rather hike than jog on a treadmill, working out in general is somehow more tolerable when done in fresh air with trees overhead and grass underfoot. Dr Amanda Burden goes on to makes the correlation that the closer you are to a green space, the more likely you are to be physically active. Better still, green spaces promote the precise type of physical activity we car-generation so desperately lack these days: walking. Exercise isn’t just good for the body, but also the mind; we often forget this. “A 2011 meta-analysis broke down the psychological benefits of outdoor workouts. Compared to indoor workouts, outdoor workouts resulted in greater revitalisation, increased energy, and more positive engagement, along with less depression, anger, confusion, and tension.” (Mark 's Daily