Public spaces in an urban center is the spatial essence of social life. Human life can be divided, spatially, in private and social. For most people, spending time in open public spaces is an everyday habit. It’s in these squares and parks that people escape, isolate, socialize, relax and exercise. A lot take place in these spaces, individual or collective experiences, cultural events and all kinds of activities that bring the community closer. As a result, these spaces are a vital part of a city and it’s a duty for people and for the state to keep them in good condition.
In Greece, there is a timeless abandonment of public space. The local authorities devaluate these places. Inadequate maintenance and fragmentation led to their desertification or even extinction. Besides the municipal authorities that neglect public spaces, common citizens show an interest for them. Their presence is continuous in these spaces despite the problems that exist.
In the city of Volos, unlike the rest of Thessaly, there is not enough free public spaces compared to its size. The economic state and the efforts to pursue an abstract and directionless modernity, made urban planning more difficult. In this research work, the development of the open public space through time in Volos is analyzed in detail. The squares, the parks, the coastal front as well as their needs are analyzed in this thesis. So the suggestions are more friendly to the environment and provide better living, walking conditions and usability by citizens and visitors.
The proposed methodological approach is the result of a study, bibliographic research and application of visual programming system in CAD (Computer-Aided Design) program. The methodology that was followed was applied on the building and urban background of Volos for a more accurate approach to the conditions of the city, and to add to the validity of the proposal. The need to improve open spaces in terms of the conditions they create for the visitor, but also the capabilities of any possible energy upgrades are examined in this study.
