In contemporary cities, public space constitutes a dynamic core of activity, appropriated by social groups in ways that often exceed its original function. Within this new landscape of urban life, public space evolves into a field of multiple meanings, where social, economic, and political forces coexist and are expressed. From spaces of commerce to meeting places, and even as stages of social resistance, public space emerges as the locus where social practices and public discourse develop, playing a central role in the transformation of the city.

The course aims to familiarize students with the multiple dimensions of public space through an interdisciplinary approach. It examines the concepts, history, and contemporary role of public space in cities, analyzing its transformations and its significance in shaping the urban experience.

Through lectures, case studies, and practical exercises, students are invited to explore the complexity of public space as a site of social interaction, economic activity, and political expression. Critical understanding of the relationship between public space and the urban fabric is encouraged, with the aim of cultivating analytical and design skills that promote sustainable and inclusive urban development. At the same time, students will become acquainted with methods of public space analysis, focusing on issues of function, design, typology, and use.

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Identify and define the fundamental concepts, theories, and historical transformations of public space, from antiquity to the contemporary era.

2. Critically analyze public spaces at different scales (city, neighborhood, site), taking into account their social, political, functional, and material dimensions.

3. Document the identity and characteristics of public spaces through research tools such as field observation, photographic recording, mapping, and design analysis.

4. Apply social and spatial research methods to understand how public space is produced, used, and transformed.

5. Interpret relations of power, dominance, exclusion, and participation as they are manifested in public space, recognizing its role as a field of social and political dialogue.

6. Evaluate policies, institutional frameworks, and management strategies that influence the design and operation of public space.

7. Synthesize proposals for the reorganization or enhancement of public spaces, guided by principles of inclusion, accessibility, sustainability, and social resilience.

8. Integrate participatory processes and principles of social design, acknowledging the needs and rights of diverse user groups.

9. Present and communicate effectively their research findings and design proposals through written work (a 3,000-word research paper) and visual materials (maps, sketches, diagrams, photographs, models).

10. Critically reflect on the role of the architect and urban designer in shaping public space as an agent of social responsibility, democracy, and collective meaning.

The course is divided into two main components:

1. Theory – Lectures

The lectures aim to introduce students to the fundamental concepts related to the evolution of public space, focusing on theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches.
The main goal is to familiarize students with the multiple aspects of the academic discourse surrounding public space in contemporary cities.
A series of ten lectures will cover a wide range of themes, including history, identity, typologies, spatial conflicts, and transformations.

2. Research Project

The research project is developed in two stages, running parallel to the theoretical component.
It aims to help students develop analytical skills related to the characteristics and identities that define and shape public space, while also training them in the research process — including literature review, analysis, synthesis, and conclusions.
Each student will complete a short research paper focusing on the public spaces of a selected city or specific urban area.
Through photographic documentation, mapping, sketches, collages, and written analysis, students will present the key characteristics of public spaces — their relationship with buildings, historical evolution, accessibility conditions, user profiles, functions, and uses.
The final submission will include a 3,000-word text accompanied by appropriate bibliographic research and visual material.

Lecture and Project Schedule

1. The Importance of Public Space in Contemporary Urban Landscapes
   Introduction to the course, presentation of objectives and structure. Analysis of the concept of public space as a fundamental field of social life, communication, and collective identity in modern cities.

2. Historical Identities A: From Antiquity to the Industrial City
   Overview of the historical evolution of public space from ancient cities to the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the industrial era. Examination of the forms, functions, and social roles of squares, marketplaces, and urban streets.

3. Historical Identities B: Public Space in the Modern and Contemporary City
   Study of public space in the modern and postmodern city. The influence of commercialization, security, and new forms of urbanization on the design and use of contemporary public spaces.

4. Typologies A: Forms and Categories of Public Space
   Introduction to the typologies of public space — squares, parks, streets, arcades, waterfronts, gardens, and urban voids. Presentation of key theoretical and research approaches (Jane Jacobs, Galen Cranz, Jan Gehl).

5. Typologies B: Public Space in the Greek City
   Analysis of the specific characteristics of public space in the Greek city: urbanization patterns, planning practices, social contradictions, and the qualitative features of the Greek urban landscape.

6. The Just City and Public Space: The Right to the City
   Exploration of issues of social justice and accessibility. Public space as a field of equality, inclusion, and participation. Discussion of theoretical perspectives by Lefebvre, Harvey, and Fainstein.

7. Resistance, Protest, and Disobedience: Public Space as a Landscape of Activism
   Public space as a stage for political action, collective mobilization, and urban protest. Analysis of examples from social movements (public squares in Athens, Madrid, Cairo, etc.).

8. The Governance of Public Space: Policies, Institutions, and Management
   Study of policies and institutional frameworks related to the design and management of public space. Examination of public–private relationships, maintenance and programming practices, and urban governance.

9. Public Space and Mobility Infrastructure: New Forms of Urban Connectivity
   Analysis of transportation infrastructures (metro systems, railways, pedestrian networks, transport hubs) as new forms of public space and sites of social encounter in the contemporary city.

10. New Research Agendas for Public Space: Democracy, Crises, Resilience
    Presentation of current research directions concerning democracy, participation, sustainability, climate change, and post-pandemic urban transformations.

11. Course Review: Conclusions and Theoretical Reflections
    Synthesis of key theoretical themes, concepts, and conclusions. Integration of theoretical knowledge and research outcomes.

12. Final Revisions of Research Projects
    Review and feedback on final research projects. Support for students in refining their proposals and documentation.

13. Final Presentations of Research Projects
    Presentation and evaluation of the final research and design projects. Collective discussion and feedback session.

Student evaluation will be based exclusively on the final project, which will be submitted by each student group in the form of a research booklet during the examination period.

The final submission must synthesize all material produced throughout the three exercises, clearly presenting the methodology, the connection to the theoretical framework developed in the lectures, as well as the analysis and design proposals for the selected study area.

Specific guidelines and formatting requirements for the booklet will be provided and must be strictly followed by all groups.
The final presentation of the project will also be evaluated as part of the overall assessment.

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