WE PRODUCE PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE ON PUBLIC SPACE.
The Journal of Public Space (ISSN 2206-9658) is a research project developed by City Space Architecture, a non-profit organization based in Italy, in partnership with UN-Habitat, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, based in Kenya.
The Journal of Public Space is the world’s first international, interdisciplinary, academic, diamond open-access journal dedicated entirely to public space. Built on a well-established global network of scholars and professionals, the journal is committed to expanding current scholarship by offering a global perspective and providing a platform for countries that are often overlooked to share their views and discuss topics that are usually sidelined in mainstream knowledge, such as neglected and emerging issues.
The Journal of Public Space embraces diversity and encourages dialogue and storytelling from a variety of disciplines and countries, particularly those that are usually underrepresented, thereby overcoming the Western-centric approach that currently dominates the discourse. Like a proper public space, The Journal of Public Space is free, accessible and inclusive for both authors and readers. It provides a platform for both emerging and established researchers, as well as professionals, artists, activists and community leaders. The Journal of Public Space aims to promote research, showcase best practices and inform discussions about issues related to public spaces in our ever-changing societies.
The Journal of Public Space addresses the social sciences and humanities as major fields and is also interested in attracting scholars from other disciplines. Acting as both a scholarly journal and an interdisciplinary discussion and exchange platform, it is enriched by hosting papers on design projects, art performances, and social practices that foster civic engagement and non-expert knowledge.
Read more about the Editorial Team and about our double blind peer review process.
The Journal of Public Space is indexed in Scopus and SJR SCImago Journal Rankings.
The Journal of Public Space is rated by ANVUR - National Italian agency for the evaluation of universities and research as a "CLASS A" Journal for the Areas 08/F1 – Urban Planning and Design and 10/C1 – Theatre, Music, Cinema, Television, and Audiovisual Media. It is also ranked by ANVUR as a "Scientific Journal” for Area 08 - Civil Engineering and Architecture and Area 10 - Antiquities, Philology, Literary Studies, Art History.
The Journal of Public Space is included in the Diamond Discovery Hub (DDH), and our publisher, City Space Architecture, is mapped as part of the Registry of the European Diamond Capacity Hub (EDCH), a free and comprehensive resource designed to foster collaborations within the Diamond Open Access landscape in the European Research Area, contributing to a stronger, more visible and sustainable ecosystem for non‑commercial open access publishing.
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FOR AUTHORS: check if your article is currently under peer review and our scheduled thematic issues >>> open this page.
Vol. 11 No. 1 (2026): Rethinking Public Space Evaluation
Editors: Thomas Chung, Maria Duda, Nikos Kazeros, Hendrik Tieben,
Wai Chung Wu
Editorial team: Natalia Brener, Mohd Azli Mohamad Jamil, Sadichchha Shrestha, Camille Douglas Stephenson, Sandro Truchan, Manuel Zubiate
Editor-in-chief: Luisa Bravo
in partnership with International Union of Architects (UIA)
Published:
2026-06-29
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DISCLAIMER: The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this journal do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries, or regarding its economic system or degree of development. The analysis, conclusions and recommendations of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme. Reference in this journal of any specific commercial products, brand names, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favouring by UN-Habitat or its officers, nor does such reference constitute an endorsement of UN-Habitat.
"Public space in cities is a common good, meant to be open, inclusive and democratic, a fundamental human right for everybody."
- Dr Luisa Bravo
The Journal of Public Space, Founder and Editor in Chief
City Space Architecture, Founding Member and President
(from the statement submitted at the 26th UN-Habitat Governing Council held in Nairobi, Kenya, 8-12 May 2017)
Stand up for Public Space! | UN-Habitat Global Urban Lecture by Dr Luisa Bravo (click here) | A global campaign launched at the Habitat III conference in Quito, Ecuador, 2016 (click here)
The Journal of Public Space is a not-for-profit project. We produce public knowledge on public space. We don't ask for APCs (Article Processing Charges) from our authors. Nobody is paying, neither for publishing nor for reading. Our Editor in Chief and our Editorial Team are not paid, they all volunteer their time to accomplish our mission.
Please consider making a donation to our publisher City Space Architecture, a non-profit organization based in Italy, even a small donation can make a difference. Thank you very much.
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