Public Open Space

Public space improves physical and psychological health, and contributes to the social connections that help make a community.

Relevance to Checklist

Public open space can include parks, gardens, shopping areas, sporting fields, streets, public squares and plazas, playgrounds, walking and biking trails and natural areas.

According to The Project for Public Spaces, there are four key qualities of successful public spaces:

1. They are accessible
2. People are engaged in activities there
3. The space is comfortable and has a good image
4. It is a sociable place – one where people meet each other

Public space can provide opportunities for social interaction, social mixing and social inclusion and it can facilitate the development of community ties.

Design of public open spaces should not only address amenity and aesthetics, but also should respond to, and reflect, local culture, character and identity. In addition, public access to the natural environment has shown to be particularly important for good health. However, this access is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain with the shift to more urban patterns of living.

Public open space key questions to ask

How does the policy, plan or development proposal –

• Provide access to green space and natural areas?
• Ensure that public open spaces are safe, healthy, accessible, attractive and easy to maintain?
• Promote quality streetscapes that encourage activity?
• Engender a sense of cultural identity, sense of place and incorporate public art?
• Address the preservation and enhancement of places of natural, historic and cultural significance?

Snapshots of key evidence and leading practice

For an overview of the key evidence and leading practice relating to the issue of Public Open Space click here

Related chapters

Social Infrastructure; Social Cohesion and Connectivity; Physical Activity; Transport and Physical Connectivity; Environment and Health; Community Safety and Security

Links to more resources  

• Landcom – Street Design Guidelines, Open Space Guidelines and Street Tree Design Guidelines
• City of Adelaide – Public Spaces and Public Life
• Young people, Alcohol and Safer Public Spaces
• The State of Practice – Examples of New Street Design Guidance from around the world
• UK – Manual for Streets
• CABE – Designing and Planning for Play
• CABE – Public Space Resources
• The Project for Public Spaces
• CABE/Mayor of London – Open space strategies. Best practice guidance
• Australian Clearinghouse on Youth Studies – Youth and Public Space
• UNISA – Negotiating Public Space: Discourses on Public Art
• Design Council – Inclusive Design
• Under Cover: Guidelines for Shade Planning and Design
• NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change - Aboriginal People and Cultural Life
• Australian Museum, Aboriginal Heritage Unit
• PCAL - case study for open space Warriewood Valley, Northern Beaches Sydney
• PCAL - case study for open space Blayney Heritage Park, Western NSW