Transforming the Concept of Public Space and Its Impact on Space Experience in the City of Esfahan

Abstract

Urban planning and new management practices have transformed the use of public spaces in many countries. However, disillusions and failure to provide local values highly affect the forms of these areas. This article considers the dynamism and user's preferences of such spaces, studying the transformation of public spaces, new business centers and their impacts on the experience of space users. Esfahan is considered as a city with rapidly expanding economy, although public spaces thereof have largely failed to meet the people's requirements. This study seeks to answer the questions regarding the concepts of public spaces, criticisms on the emergence of public spaces, and their effects on the experience of the citizens. Accordingly, modernist and capitalist-inspired approaches have created meaningless and unfriendly spaces with no role in the experience of space users. Based on the literature review, and the in-depth interviews conducted in 4 urban spaces in Esfahan, this study considered the elements of space domination, space ownership, (with public and private boundaries), use of space and agency in space, and provided a proper understanding of the role of urban design in enhancing the collective experience of space users, which could help public spaces encounter various challenges. According to this study, a leading urban design approach is to be pursued, if the public spaces are to meet the requirements of the citizens and remain in the collective experience of users.