City-Wide Public Space Strategies: A Guidebook for City Leaders

Public spaces are fundamental across the environmental, social and economic dimensions of urban development. They provide opportunities for social interaction and active participation, and they play a key role in environmental sustainability, socio-economic development, and enhancing urban health and well-being. 

Developing sustainable, inclusive public spaces requires a clear understanding of existing conditions, as well as the needs, goals, and long-term visions of a city. Therefore, having a long-term public space plan, known as a city-wide public space strategy, is critical. It provided an action-oriented framework for setting up, planning, implementing and maintaining public spaces, ensuring their future sustainability within the city.   

The guidebook consolidates existing knowledge and highlights essential elements, including six minimum norms: quantity, equitable distribution, connectivity, diversity, accessibility, and quality, that a successful strategy should achieve. It emphasises a comprehensive approach for cities to develop contextual city-wide strategies and provides a strong foundation for cities seeking to create accessible, sustainable and inclusive public space systems for all.