Habitat III Issue Papers - 11: Public Space

Public space generates equality. Where public space is inadequate, poorly designed, or privatised, the city becomes increasingly segregated. Lines are drawn based on religion, ethnicity, gender and economic status because people don’t meet or get to know each other. The result can be a polarised city where social tensions are likely to flare up and where social mobility and economic opportunity are stifled. Adequate planning and designing public spaces raise issues regarding the right of people to freedom of artistic expression, political assembly and civic empowerment, to enjoy, engage and exchange with each.

This issue paper on "Public Space" is part of a series of thematic reports offering a comprehensive, expert-level view of the processes of urbanisation that characterise today’s century of cities — and look forward to what could and should come next. The 22 “issue papers” were submitted by a range of multilateral institutions. They will ultimately be used to guide discussion by 10 formal “policy units”, which will focus on the six thematic issues deemed important for the Habitat III process. Made up of independent experts, these units touch on housing, resilience, equity and other issues. Eventually, they will each provide formal input regarding the crafting and, especially, implementation of the New Urban Agenda.