Sociology of Urban Design and Public Space

Brivibas

The Goal

• it capitalises its potential to be the spatial backbone of Riga’s urban structure;

• it reveals the cultural heritage of the city as the capital and symbolic heart of Latvia;

• it becomes an enjoyable environment in which to live, work, recreate and visit;it develops into one of the great streets in Europe

Structure

• The notion and significance of public space• Access, Use, Source, Nature of Public Space• Production of Space (sturcturing agents;

public private)• Problematics of Public Space and its

Consequences• Practical Analysis

The Notion of Public Space

• Why is public space significant (in sociology)

• Public Sphere and Civil Society

• Space structures experience/action

Source, Nature, Use

• Source

• Nature

• How they use it: Work, shopping, recreation/leisure,party

Production of Space:People Produce Space, Space

Produces People

Public, Government

Private

Private

Problematics for Public Space

Dissappearence &Poor quality

Commercialization &Militarization

! H.O.W T.E.R.R.I.B.L.E !

The Ideal

• Various people, various spaces, various ends: Public Space has to be diverse place of attraction and of highest quality to suit the needs of the population of the city

The Goal and Potential

• To enhance the structural and functional potential of Brivibas str, to strengthen cultural heritage and make the area more enjoyable

Practical Analysis

• Residential use and its necessities (density)• Food (Markets)• Shopping (Shopt to become)• Recreation: Diverse (Kids, Nature)• Entertainment/Culture/Sightseeing

Practical Analysis: Markets

• Markets: Sustainability and Quality of Life (cases of Jugla, Chiekurkalns, Matisa markets)

Matisa, Chiekurkalns

Practical Analysis 2: Shop

• Shop to become: Consumption and society

Centrs, Domina

Elkor

Alfa

Practical Analysis 3

• Recreation: Urban Nature (Capitalization and refurbishiment of the quality and accesibility of parks and squares

Urban River

Dailes Theatre Sq.,

Laima Chocolate Factory

Cesu St., Sq.,

Practical Analysis 4: Culture

• Culture: Transforming, Updating and Capitalizing the collective memory of cultural institutions on Brivibas

Dailes Theatre

Vef Cultural Palace

Conclusion

• Brivibas street of course has is the backbone of Riga, but unless the existing potential is capitalized and marketed right some of the assets may become obsolete. If the needs of certain social groups are not met, people will leave city for the Suburb living.