Reimagining the Public Realm Through Public Space Activation and Stewardship
Public space has always been an integral part of human life. It supports the widest diversity of experiences and offers some of the best experiences overall, according to Gensler’s Experience Index research. From your local park, to the sidewalks on city streets, to the terraces and gardens provided by restaurants or retail centers, these spaces define our collective urban (and suburban) experiences. And after months of isolation from much of the outside world through the lockdown spurred by coronavirus, public space has been at the center of our social lives as a “safe” place to connect with others while social distancing. Now more than ever, these spaces are poised to become the lifeblood of our neighborhoods and cities.
Today’s episode brings together experts in the public realm to discuss public space’s vital role in society. Our first guest is Neil O. Albert, the President and Executive Director of the DowntownDC Business Improvement District. He is a former senior policy advisor for Holland & Knight’s Public Policy & Regulation Practice Group, and prior to that Neil served as city administrator and deputy mayor for planning and economic development for Mayor Adrian Fenty. Our second guest is Joshua Silver, the Lead Planner for Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships at the DC Office of Planning, Neighborhood Planning Division (DCOP). In his role, Josh spearheads the development and management of strategic place-based planning initiatives and implements neighborhood plans and citywide policies through strategic philanthropic and institutional partnerships. Josh has been instrumental in leading OP’s creative placemaking initiative, “Crossing the Street: Building DC’s Inclusive Future Through Creative Placemaking.” Leading the conversation from Gensler is Carolyn Sponza, a Senior Associate & Design Manager who focuses on planning and urban design, mixed-use, transportation, and preservation projects. Together, they’ll discuss how we might design cities that work for everyone and facilitate both organized and spontaneous connections between diverse people.
In 2017, the DCOP engaged Gensler to write the DC Public Space Activation & Stewardship Guide, the city’s first comprehensive placemaking manual for citizens, community groups, business improvement districts, and developers. This guide, developed in collaboration with other District agencies, gives citizens and designers across the country some tools for activating public space in their communities. Josh and Carolyn, who both collaborated to create the guide, explore what other cities can learn from the guide and the District’s approach to public space. They also discuss what’s changed since the guide was released.
“It’s really interesting to hear from colleagues across the country and across the world, how their cities are doing something similar or need to do something similar, and they’re really looking at the guide as something that can be molded and shaped to impact work that’s happening in other Gensler cities.” — Carolyn Sponza
The pandemic has reminded us of how much outdoor public spaces fulfill the basic human needs for connection to others, connection to nature, and ultimately connection to something greater than one’s self. Green spaces can raise climate change awareness, celebrate unique community moments, and convey messages about equity in our communities by providing calm settings where all are welcome. But it’s important to recognize that not everyone has easy, equitable access to green open space. Under-resourced, low-income neighborhoods often lack access to safe public spaces where people can exercise, relax, or socialize, and the current pandemic has highlighted this disparity.
Public places are the backdrop to our civic expression — a truth that has been on broad display as millions of people around the world have protested the death of George Floyd. Recent protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement show that we are hurting, and we are looking for spaces where we can come together and amplify our collective voice. Our separation as a result of the pandemic has only deepened our longing to interact and connect and recent unrest has reminded us that there’s more work to do to ensure everyone feels welcomed and safe in the public spaces where we choose to gather. As stewards of the built environment, architects, designers, and planners have the opportunity to observe what the evolution of equitable design should include so that we can create spaces where we all feel free to breathe.
“We’re hoping that by the end of the year, we really start rolling out the artwork [murals for change and racial equity] and just make it a place where people can come, feel relaxed, engaged with the movement — and engage in conversation about the movement — but also folks who need to come there for commerce and their businesses can feel free to do so. So those conversations and activities are continuing, and we’re hoping that the plaza, two years from now, three years from now, will be a destination for folks who come to visit D.C.” — Neil O. Albert
At the core of what makes dense urban environments authentic, desirable, and attractive is a network of forces that spark serendipity and diversity. All qualities that in this time of social distancing appear to be a threat to our personal safety and well-being. Planners may need to rethink how our cities can respond to changing lifestyles and behaviors. Paris, for example, is looking to implement the “15-minute city” in which residents’ needs — from work to shopping and leisure activities — can all be found within a 15-minute walk or short bike ride from their homes. In the U.S., cities such as Portland, Detroit, Dallas, and Chicago are all exploring versions of the 15-minute, or in some cases 20-minute, city. Cities like Paris have also announced plans to keep older cars out of the city after lockdown in order to curb air pollution, phasing out of car lanes and parking spots to create wider sidewalks and greenery. Cities can be made stronger by reconsidering the nature of density and its vital relationship to public health, wellness, and resilience. A truly viable 15- or 20-minute city offers a network of shared spaces that can help foster connected, thriving communities for the benefit of all.
Recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic starts in the public realm. In fact, public space will play a vital role in bringing us back to public life. Post-pandemic, our cities and neighborhoods will continue to be economic and cultural centers, albeit with some changes. We must consider how the careful orchestration of natural elements can help reassure the public of a space’s vitality and safety. The current moment demands creative thinking, but the design solutions around public spaces are rooted in timeless ideas. Successful design can bring people together and create opportunities for meaningful interactions. To create safe, inspiring, and welcoming spaces for all, we must all accept that we still have work to do.
“People are using public spaces in new ways and more frequently…these smaller spaces in our neighborhoods that are not programmed type spaces that sometimes aren’t even well maintained or stewarded are places where I now see people on a more frequent basis…I’m seeing alleys being used all over [Washington, D.C.] for social distancing and for even recreation in ways we’ve never seen before.” — Joshua Silver
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