Strategic public space planning as a key aspect to urban regeneration priorities

Abstract

Public spaces quality and the existence of urban facilities are two key elements in neighbourhood regeneration, however both of them are often considered as isolated elements in renewal policies and actions in the existing city. In many cases, they also lack of a comprehensive approach that includes a wide range of their fundamental aspects. Their integration in urban structure is one the main aspects for an intense social use. Universal accessibility approach can provide a large array of concepts and criteria to materialize this kind of integration. This is especially relevant in order to reinforce each location9s attractive for social use, besides the consideration of public streets as a canal for urban displacements. Strategic planning of neighbourhood9s public space and facilities can bring together all previous topics as a base to define public policies and investments. In addition, it works as a general framework to guide the development of individual projects.