The discourse about public spaces is generally dominated by exempla coming mainly from Europe and North America, where in the 1960s and 1970s main theories about use and navigation of the built environment have been developed. If on one side cases from these cultural areas are more accessible, on the other side interesting and relevant experiences are today developed all over the world, starting with the innovative and highly socially relevant intervention in South American cities. New types of public spaces are also emerging in the Asia-Pacific region, due to the digital revolution, or in Africa, in consideration of the massive urbanisation this continent is undergoing.
Whilst there are several dedicated publications to cities, urban morphologies, urban dynamics and urban design, a forum where to discuss and share research, experiences and projects about public space so far was not provided in a structured and clear way.
The Journal of Public Space aims to be the first international, open access journal, integrally dedicated to the discussion of public space in all its different forms and incantations. The objective is to provide a platform where academics and practitioners can share ideas and debate publics breaking traditional disciplinary boundaries. We are willing to engage also artists, to provide a different point of view.
An open access forum for the discussion and advancement of research about public space
Abstract
Published: 2016-10-16
Issue:Vol 1 No 1 (2016)
Pages:1
to 4
Section:
Editorial
Available Formats
How to Cite
Bravo, L. and Guaralda, M. (2016) “An open access forum for the discussion and advancement of research about public space”, The Journal of Public Space, 1(1), pp. 1-4. doi: https://doi.org/10.5204/jps.v1i1.3.
Author Biographies
Luisa Bravo is an architectural engineer and an academic scholar, educated in Italy, UK and France. After completing her PhD, with a thesis on contemporary urbanism, at University of Bologna in Italy (2008), she has been researching, teaching and lecturing in several Universities, in Italy, UK, Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, Lebanon, USA, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and Australia. Visiting scholar at IURD - Institute of Urban and Regional Development, University of California Berkeley (USA, 2012), Visiting Assistant Professor at the School of Architecture and Design, Lebanese American University in Beirut (Lebanon, 2015), she is currently Adjunct Associate Professor at the Queensland University of Technology, Creative Industries Faculty, School of Design in Australia.
Luisa is founding member and president of City Space Architecture, a non-profit organization based in Italy that performs as multidisciplinary platform for scholars, professionals, artists and citizens engaged in architecture, public space, cities and urbanity. She is Founding Editor and Journal Manager of ‘The Journal of Public Space’, jointly established by City Space Architecture and the Queensland University of Technology in partnership with UN-Habitat, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme.
Luisa is founding member and president of City Space Architecture, a non-profit organization based in Italy that performs as multidisciplinary platform for scholars, professionals, artists and citizens engaged in architecture, public space, cities and urbanity. She is Founding Editor and Journal Manager of ‘The Journal of Public Space’, jointly established by City Space Architecture and the Queensland University of Technology in partnership with UN-Habitat, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme.
Queensland University of Technology
Australia
Mirko Guaralda is Senior Lecturer in Architecture at the Queensland University of Technology; his background includes experience in architectural design, landscape architecture and urban design. Before joining academia full time, Mirko has been working in industry and local government; he has been involved in a wide range of projects at different scales, from small dwellings and gardens, to new estates and urban strategic planning. Since 2001 Mirko has been involved in research projects in Australia as well as in Italy, his home country, and so far has received over $100,000.00 in funding for his work on cities and communities. He is currently research associate with the Centre for Subtropical Design, the Urban Informatics Research Lab and the Children and Youth Research Centre at QUT.
He is Founding Editor of ‘The Journal of Public Space’, jointly established by City Space Architecture and the Queensland University of Technology in partnership with UN-Habitat, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme.
He is Founding Editor of ‘The Journal of Public Space’, jointly established by City Space Architecture and the Queensland University of Technology in partnership with UN-Habitat, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme.
References
Arefi, M. (2004). The pedagogy of the American city: revisiting the concepts of place, non-place, and placelessness. Urban Design Int, 9(1), 103 - 117.
Auge, M. (1995). Non-places: Introduction to an anthropology of supermodernity. (J. Howe, Trans.). London: Verso.
Bravo, L. and Sgarbi, C. (2013), The public space of education, Vol. 4, n. 1 (special issue), IN_BO. Ricerche e progetti per il territorio, la città e l’architettura, Department of Architecture, University of Bologna, open access journal, available at https://in_bo.unibo.it/issue/view/377
Caldwell, G. A., & Guaralda, M. (2016). Blurring the physical boundaries of the city: Media architecture and urban informatics for community engagement. In G. A. Caldwell, C. H. Smith, E. M. Clift & G. Cairns (Eds.), Digital Futures and the City of Today New Technologies and Physical Spaces (pp. 235-250). Bristol, UK: Intellect.
Carmona, M., Heath, T., Oc, T., & Tiesdell, S. (2010). Public Places Urban Spaces: The Dimensions of Urban Design. New York: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
Foth, M. (2011). From social butterfly to engaged citizen: urban informatics, social media, ubiquitous computing, and mobile technology to support citizen engagement. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press.
Gehl, J. (2010). Cities for People. Washington DC: Island Press.
Auge, M. (1995). Non-places: Introduction to an anthropology of supermodernity. (J. Howe, Trans.). London: Verso.
Bravo, L. and Sgarbi, C. (2013), The public space of education, Vol. 4, n. 1 (special issue), IN_BO. Ricerche e progetti per il territorio, la città e l’architettura, Department of Architecture, University of Bologna, open access journal, available at https://in_bo.unibo.it/issue/view/377
Caldwell, G. A., & Guaralda, M. (2016). Blurring the physical boundaries of the city: Media architecture and urban informatics for community engagement. In G. A. Caldwell, C. H. Smith, E. M. Clift & G. Cairns (Eds.), Digital Futures and the City of Today New Technologies and Physical Spaces (pp. 235-250). Bristol, UK: Intellect.
Carmona, M., Heath, T., Oc, T., & Tiesdell, S. (2010). Public Places Urban Spaces: The Dimensions of Urban Design. New York: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
Foth, M. (2011). From social butterfly to engaged citizen: urban informatics, social media, ubiquitous computing, and mobile technology to support citizen engagement. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press.
Gehl, J. (2010). Cities for People. Washington DC: Island Press.
