How We Evaluate Shapes What Public Space Becomes

Thomas Chung; Maria Duda; Nikos Kazeros; Hendrik Tieben; Wai Chung Wu

doi:10.32891/jps.v11i1.1908

Cover image: The Soupes de Belleville, a solidarity project during the pandemic, Belleville, April 2021. Photo by Adèle Madeux

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Published: Jun 29, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32891/jps.v11i1.1908

Keywords:

public space performance evaluation criteria

Thomas Chung

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Maria Duda

Spiru Haret University

Nikos Kazeros

Independent researcher

Hendrik Tieben

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Wai Chung Wu

SOTI Design Studio

Abstract

Public space - streets, parks, squares, waterfronts, commons, and civic interiors - is foundational to wellbeing, democratic expression, climate resilience, and socio-cultural identity. Yet it remains under-protected and under-funded in many contexts, vulnerable to privatisation, encroachment, and uneven access. As cities densify and rural territories evolve, the need to assess the quality and impact of public spaces has become more urgent - and more complex.
This Special Issue of The Journal of Public Space has been developed by the UIA Public Spaces Work Programme (WP) as part of our 2023-2026 roadmap that positions public space as both a universal right and a strategic lever for policy and practice [1]. Our WP and the UIA have an enormous asset for public space assessment, bringing together professionals from all five regions of the globe, thereby pooling the cultural, historical, identity-related, and governance-related experiences of each region as shared resources.

[1] Chung, T. & Brener, N. (2025) Becoming Public: A 2023–2026 Roadmap for the UIA Public Spaces Work Programme. UIA. https://www.uia-architectes.org/en/mag/becoming-public-a-2023-2026-roadmap-for-the-uia-public-spaces-work-programme/

How to Cite

Chung, T., Duda, M., Kazeros, N., Tieben, H. and Wu, W. C. (2026) “How We Evaluate Shapes What Public Space Becomes”, The Journal of Public Space, 11(1), pp. 1–4. doi: 10.32891/jps.v11i1.1908.

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 1 (2026): Rethinking Public Space Evaluation

Section

Editorial

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Author Biographies

Thomas Chung, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Thomas Chung is Professor at the School of Architecture and Founding Director of the Research Centre for Sustainable Placemaking and Urban-rural Regeneration (SPUR), The Chinese University of Hong Kong. He is also Work Programme Co-director for UIA (International Union of Architects). Thomas graduated from the University of Cambridge, and his multiple award-winning projects Value Farm and Floating Fields fuse ecological design, productive landscape with socially innovative public space. Since 2019, his research in countryside conservation is driven by regenerative design, interdisciplinary action research and co-creation for well-being. Projects such as Project Plum Grove have received national and international recognition including the Times Higher Education THE Awards Asia 2025 Research Project of the Year. Organizing international symposia on Rural Revitalisation and working on a range of research initiatives and government consultancies, Thomas leads a multi-disciplinary team at SPUR dedicated to developing sustainable urban-rural futures for all.

Maria Duda, Spiru Haret University

Maria Duda, b. 1981, is an architect. MA Graduate of the Accademia di Architettura di Mendrisio in 2007, she holds a PhD in Architecture, on public spaces of Bucharest. Her professional experience started off in Switzerland – with internships within Aurelio Galfetti architectural studio, Mario Botta Architetti, and expanded with Brauen & Wälchli Architectes. Since 2009 she has been independently researching, documenting, teaching at Spiru Haret University and getting involved in the use and improvement of public spaces. In 2016 she founded BAZA. Deschidem orasul, a cultural and educational NGO dedicated to connecting young professionals of Bucharest, conducting urban research and promoting Little Improvements through architectural and artistic interventions, workshops, events, conferences, publishing. Its mirroring architectural studio, of the same name, is actively implementing urban design and urban regeneration strategies, true to inventing life and improving city conditions, beyond conventions. Between 2023-2026 she was a member of the UIA Public Spaces Work Programme where she coordinated a global instrument for the protection, assessment, and enhancement of public space performance.

Nikos Kazeros, Independent researcher

Nikos Kazeros graduated from the School of Architecture at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) in 1988. He later attended the Interdepartmental Postgraduate Program “Architecture – Spatial Design: Architectural Design – Space – Culture” at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) in 2000.
He is a founder and member of the architects/artists group “Urban Void” (Astiko Keno, 1998–2009) (https://urbanvoidathens.wordpress.com/). He co-edited the books Without Limits: The Vast Lands of the Athenian Suburbs (2003) and Urban Void: Actions 1998–2006 (2007), and contributed to Nomadic Architecture: Walking through Fragile Landscapes (2018).
He is a member of the Technical Chamber of Greece, the Panhellenic Association of Architects, and the Greek Section of the International Union of Architects (UIA). Since 2012, he has served as a registered jury member for Greek architectural competitions.
His professional work includes residential, commercial, and urban design projects, as well as participation in national and international architectural competitions.
His research focuses on the relationship between design and perception, and on the transformation of urban public spaces. His articles on the city, urban landscape, and public space have been published in journals, edited volumes, and newspapers. He has also participated in architectural conferences, competitions, and exhibitions.
Since 1997, he has been teaching architectural and urban design, adaptive reuse, research methods for design, and cultural geography in both private and public institutions.

Hendrik Tieben, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Hendrik Tieben is an architect and Professor at the School of Architecture of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). In his work as educator, scholar, and designer he focuses on the creation of sustainable, healthy, and inclusive cities. From 2021 to2024, he served as Director of the School of Architecture. Currently, Tieben serves as the Chairman of the Scientific Board of the International Forum on Urbanism. Hendrik developed a series of placemaking and community projects. In 2023, he co-curated the exhibition “Transformative Hong Kong” for the Venice Architecture Biennale. With City Space Architecture President, Luisa Bravo, he co-organized the online initiative “2020: A Year without Public Space under the COVID19 Pandemic”. Today, Hendrik Tieben collaborates with UN Habitat’s Global Public Space Programme, on the forthcoming report ‘The Value of Public Facilities for Inclusive and Resilient Neighbourhoods’. Hendrik has been visiting scholar at different Universities including Chang’An University, National University of Taiwan, University of Auckland, and University of Lisbon. He received his architectural education in Germany, Italy and Switzerland and holds a doctoral degree from ETH Zurich. Hendrik Tieben is registered architect in Germany, a founding member of the Hong Kong Institute of Urban Design, and an AIA Hong Kong International Associate Member.

Wai Chung Wu, SOTI Design Studio

Wai Chung Wu is an architectural designer, heritage practitioner, and editor whose work explores the relationship between public space, cultural heritage, and community engagement. she is the Director of SOTI Design Studio, where he leads interdisciplinary projects spanning heritage conservation, urban regeneration, public art, exhibitions, publications, and participatory design.

References

International Union of Architects (UIA) (2026) How to Protect, Assess, and Enhance the Performance of Public Space. A Global Instrumenti by UIA Public Space Work Programme. Available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uJqKShInSngHsoV4grZ6o0r7ZTU0b25L/view?usp=share_link

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