Rethinking Public Space Evaluation
Posted on 2025-12-23
CALL FOR PAPERS
The Journal of Public Space, in collaboration with the UIA Public Spaces Work Programme, invites scholars, practitioners, and researchers from around the world to contribute to a special issue dedicated to rethinking how we evaluate public space. This issue will explore not only the effectiveness of existing indicator frameworks but also critically reflect on the deeper questions of what, how, and why we evaluate public space in the first place.
Public spaces—whether designed or emergent, permanent or ephemeral—are vital to the sustainability and vitality of urban and rural life. They are where people gather, express, rest, protest, and connect. Yet, as cities and regions face increasing pressures from densification, privatisation, climate change, and digital transformation, the need to assess the quality and impact of public spaces has become more urgent—and more complex.
This special issue acknowledges that while there is broad consensus on the importance of high-quality public spaces for thriving communities, there is no one-size-fits-all system for evaluating them. Public space is shaped by local cultures, governance structures, histories, and user practices. What is considered “inclusive,” “safe,” or “vibrant” in one context may not hold the same meaning in another. Quantitative indicators, while useful, risk overlooking the subjective, symbolic, and culturally embedded values that make public spaces meaningful to different communities.
Read the CALL FOR PAPERS and submit your abstract no later than 23 January 2026.