Ideal Public Space.
A city may be dazzling with a lot of activity or it may be diminishing in its glory with time. As a community of civilized and social beings, we are both responsible towards and a responsibility for the urban dwelling we call the city. As such, urban planning becomes a significant factor in re-defining our livelihoods. We may be growing economically, but it is of lesser use if we do not display the transformation socio-culturally.
Every big urban region requires ideal public spaces, where people from different communities may blend in to show the rest of the world, that the city is scintillating with enjoyment and happiness of community living. The public place is just the skeleton, which holds the human body and gives it its structural integrity. But, to make the body alive, certain socio-cultural aspects need to act as the arteries that bring life to it.
The city is responsible for providing the basic amenities to the public space, like flawless connectivity to the city centre, bus and railway stations , and public markets. The better the connectivity, the freer the people will feel to go to the place. Another responsibility is involvement of the government in maintaining the public space. Be it a square, a boulevard, an open park or a zoo, the government must show its eagerness to provide every essential bit required to sustain it. Any object, be it a water fountain or a marble statue, requires care and consideration and must be considered a part-and-parcel of the public space. The government is also responsible to curb any pollution-related activity near the public space and strive for making it pollution-free and eco-friendly as far as possible. Another factor which is usually ignored is the public convenience. An open area like a park with a few trees must be accompanied by shelters, water sources to rejuvenate the environment or at least a place to sit.
When we talk about the responsibility of the citizens, the focus lies on how involved the community is. A place can touch fame if one creates sources for it to become famous. Say, a Maggie Point in a college campus. It is undoubtedly a place of convenience for hard-working students to have food after they complete one of their lectures and also a great spot for socializing and communicating. The idea comes from a citizen and is useful for a lot many. Similarly, a place full of outdoor activities that encourages social interaction along with physical fitness is sought after. A place where a busy professional can hang out, play his favourite games or have a relieving massage is no less than heaven on earth. Not to mention, a bustling square is also a hub of economic activity providing earning for many.
The crux of this article is a simple shift from the paradigm of brilliant designing to brilliant community convenience. A full-of-activity mediocre place is much better than an isolated architectural marvel.
