Ward Thompson, C., 2002, Urban open space in the 21st century, in: Landscape and Urban Planning, 58,
- Author : Ward Thompson, C.
- Year : 2002
- Journal/Series : Landscape and Urban Planning
- Volume Number (CONSECUTIVE: Counting all Volumes of this Journal ever published) : 58
- Pages : 59-72
- Abstract in English : This paper is an exploration of what we should be demanding from urban open space in the 21st century: what are the social and spatial implications of new lifestyles, value systems, attitudes to natural and sustainability, and what models for future city will accommodate these? Do historic parks and open space patterns offer the right framework, the right extent and complexity for modern and future needs, or should we be planning for completely new structures of open space provision and usage? The concept of democratic society as a melting pot where cultural differences become homogenised within an overriding expression oh national culture has largely been replaced with a more pluralistic ideal. We now strive to accept diversity in needs, attitudes etc. Public open space and urban parks are places where democracy is worked out and therefore the way such spaces are designed, managed and used demonstrates the realities of political rhetoric. Different social and cultural groups have different perceptions of what is acceptable or safe behaviour and some conflicts can be resolved by time-programming, rather than space-programming, but it is clear that only truly participatory planning process will resolve them.
- Comments/Notes : KEYWORDS: open space, parks, nature, societal significance, multi-cultural, participatory planning. UTILITY: lecturers/teachers, academic research, students of universities of professional education.