The Public Realm (2)

In any discussion concerning what constitutes a proper public realm one needs to look at successful examples both within the region and outside. In many instances city inhabitants create such settings spontaneously by appropriating leftover spaces, gardens and parks. Such spaces are not explicitly designed as a public gathering point. But in case one needs to identify guidelines and regulations, proper design ingredients, what one may also call urban patterns, need to be identified.

In my previous column I mentioned the Urban Planning Council (UPC) workshop to which I was invited to give a lecture on what constitutes a public realm. In this talk I presented a series of case studies that constitute good practices, and which may be of relevance for a city such as Abu Dhabi.

The first case concerned a setting with which I am very familiar. It is a street in Cairo that had been pedestrianized. Located at the end of Mohamed Ali street it passes between two well-known mosques: the 19th century Rifa’i and the 14th century Sultan Hassan. They are located opposite each other, with a narrow passageway between them. In the 1980s the Egyptian authorities converted this space to pedestrian use only. The idea was to encourage tourists to come to the place in a setting that is safe from car traffic and pollution. While this happened, the design caused something else: it attracted residents, mostly low-income, from the surrounding district.

It became a hangout, with many using the space to meet others. All sorts of people could be seen there: elderly and retirees, schoolchildren, couples and so forth. Significantly there was a very positive interaction between tourists and Egyptians. From a design perspective the space was simply designed – the passage has been retrofitted with stone, and a ledge was placed along the entire length of the street.

Unfortunately, the street has been closed from both ends and can only be entered via a ticketing booth. While entry for Egyptians is free, to facilitate prayer at mosques, the passageway has become empty and devoid of life.

While this space catered to the need for communal interaction, there is sometimes a need for withdrawal, and having some space for oneself. In Beirut, the recently designed Samir Kassir Square in the city’s central business district, fulfills exactly such a function. Set back from a main street and raised on a platform it is small in size. Moreover, it is separated from the street via a small water fountain whose cascading water masks the sound of traffic. Two large trees further add to a feeling of containment. Such are the qualities of this space, that when one ascends a few steps and sits on one of the benches, there is a true – although not a complete – separation from the city. Activities can be observed from a slight distance, and once one is ready, the city can be rejoined again.

At an international level I presented several examples such as the large plaza opposite the Pompidou Center in Paris. The building itself is an architectural marvel, built in the 1970s but still retaining its modernist appeal. Significantly, because of its iconic status, it draws a large number of people who use the open space opposite the entrance as a main gathering point. In such spaces people are actors on a stage – a significant aspect of what constitutes a properly designed public realm.

I also talked about Columbus Park in China Town, Manhattan-New York. It is a small park, which largely caters to Chinese migrants. Go there on any given day and you will see a large number playing traditional board games. Others like to meet their fellow citizens to exchange news and reinforce their sense of identity. This is of particular importance for cities in the Gulf region.

Based on these examples I attempted to develop a series of principles that could be used as general guidelines by planners and architects when designing such settings. These include: a simple design - any expensive and unnecessary gimmicks are not useful; minimal interference – a successful design allows activities to unfold without restricting people in any way; a clear definition of edges gives people a sense of containment and protection, hence allowing them to stay longer; and, perhaps most importantly, an openness to the city – the degree to which the public space integrates with its surroundings and becomes a part of it, not an isolated pretty object that no one uses.

All over the world there are many examples for spaces like this. Even in the UAE we can certainly identify them as well. The UPC’s effort in providing rules is certainly admirable and should lead to a capital city that allows its citizens to mingle freely with others, and thus becomes a beacon of tolerance and co-existence.

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