A study of public recreation space and how urban developers can encourage ethnic diversity through planning that supports multiculturalism. Urban parks such as New York City’s Central Park provide vital public spaces where city dwellers of all races and classes can mingle safely while enjoying a variety of recreations. By coming together in these relaxed settings, different groups become comfortable with each other, thereby strengthening their communities and the democratic fabric of society. But just the opposite happens when, by design or in ignorance, parks are made inhospitable to certain groups of people. This pathfinding book argues that cultural diversity should be a key goal in designing and maintaining urban parks. Using case studies of New York City’s Prospect Park, Orchard Beach in Pelham Bay Park, and Jacob Riis Park in the Gateway National Recreation Area, as well as New York’s Ellis Island Bridge Proposal and Philadelphia's Independence National Historical Park, the authors identify specific ways to promote, maintain, and manage cultural diversity in urban parks. They also uncover the factors that can limit park use, including historical interpretive materials that ignore the contributions of different ethnic groups, high entrance or access fees, park usage rules that restrict ethnic activities, and park “restorations” that focus only on historical or aesthetic values. With the wealth of data in this book, urban planners, park professionals, and all concerned citizens will have the tools to create and maintain public parks that serve the needs and interests of all the public.

Proposing and demonstrating the ways in which we need to rethink urban green spaces as cities, societies and environments evolve, renowned scholar Cecil C. Konijnendijk explores urban green spaces as essential parts of cities. Chapters offer a comprehensive look at how their roles have changed over time and will continue to do so, moving from their conventional purpose as areas for recreation to become spaces contributing to climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation and economic development.

What type of cities do we want our children to grow up in? Car-dominated, noisy, polluted and devoid of nature? Or walkable, welcoming, and green? As the climate crisis and urbanisation escalate, cities urgently need to become more inclusive and sustainable. This book reveals how seeing cities through the eyes of children strengthens the case for planning and transportation policies that work for people of all ages, and for the planet. It shows how urban designers and city planners can incorporate child friendly insights and ideas into their masterplans, public spaces and streetscapes. Healthier children mean happier families, stronger communities, greener neighbourhoods, and an economy focused on the long-term. Make cities better for everyone.

As the number of passenger cars in the world increases daily, so too does Earth's supply of parking spaces. In some cities, parking lots cover more than one-third of the metropolitan footprint--but their design and function has not been rethought since the 1950s. Here, urban designer Eran Ben-Joseph shares a different vision for parking's future--aesthetically pleasing, environmentally and architecturally responsible. He provides a visual history of this often-ignored urban space, introducing us to some of the many alternative and nonparking purposes that parking lots have served. He shows us parking lots that are lushly planted with trees and flowers and beautifully integrated with the rest of the built environment. With purposeful design, Ben-Joseph argues, parking lots could be significant public places, contributing as much to their communities as great boulevards, parks, or plazas.--From publisher description.

Public spaces have always been an important component of urban design and city making. With the changing dynamics of cities, the public realm has been substantially affected and has changed the way such spaces are perceived and used. Substantial literature is available on public spaces and their design, the star designer associated with the space, and the description of the design virtues. In addition, there is a growing body of literature focusing on the production of space, the concept of place, and cultural/sociological issues on the use of the space. However, there is a substantial lack of knowledge on the redevelopment and redesign processes, or how redesigning can potentially destroy the character and meaning of a public space and how a designer should ideally approaches the process. The focus of this research is to identify all the factors that play an important role in the proper redesign and redevelopment of a public space project, more specifically urban parks. Understanding the important dominant factors guiding such projects will contribute to a more effective planning and urban design for public spaces. The main case study is Washington Square Park, which is undergoing an expensive redevelopment amid controversy and opposition from the public. On the basis of personal observations supported by literature review, this thesis identifies the important attributes and issues surrounding the redesign of this important public space in New York City. Furthermore, recommendations based on the study findings are advanced, directed towards the designer of the public space proposed to be redesigned. These recommendations can be used as guidelines to facilitate the redesigning process. The main intention of this research is to raise sensitivity among the key players, especially the designers, toward the whole process so as enable them to tackle the complex issues associated with the redesigning of public spaces in a well-informed manner.