Rethinking Public Space - Lesson Learnt From European Cities

Abstract

Decades of car-oriented planning have shaped most European cities significantly. In recent years, more and more local projects follow a new paradigm in the distributon of public realm in urban centers. Against the background of sustainable urban development, mobility projects aiming to redesign and redistribute public space in favor of active forms of mobility and urban livability are changing planning policies on a local level. Especially due to changes and restrictions caused by the covid-19 pandemic, the quality of public space is of particular importance for local recreation. Before and during the planning and implementation process, in most of these projects similar concerns and discussions of the involved stakeholders regarding the effects of the changes planned are experienced. In this contribution, we examine eight European case studies that aim to design more livable cities and promote active mobility. We evaluate these projects with respect to the planning and implementation process and involved stakeholders. Furthermore, various quantitative indicators are used to study the effects on mobility behavior and transport, livability, local economies and neighboring areas. In addition, we evaluate whether the projects are in line with sustainable urban development goals and embedded in local or regional strategies. For this we develop an evaluation scheme and collect diverse data for each case study. We conclude that most projects require a long-term planning process and considerable communication effort alongside participation tools for citizens and stakeholders in order to be successful. When reducing the area consumed by motorized transport contrasting views are observed. After controversial implementation processes, often stakeholders value the changes rather positive. We present fact sheets for each case study and draw planning advice regarding user acceptance, learning effects and argumentation strategies. In addition, we present observed negative effects and potential legal disputes.