A comparative study on the way public spaces function in the Athenian neighborhoods

Abstract

Greek cities tend to be transformed in terms of planning structure and urban space arrangement and function, as a result of the strong effects of globalization. This observation is crucial given  the influence the form of public space has on successful cities’ function and quality of life. This view is documented by the fact that people who live in cities satisfy their needs by experiencing urban spaces. That is the reason why behavioral studies are used to understand the way public spaces function, which is the means for approaching the transformations take place in them.

Although such a type of research has been established in academic discourse over the last 50 years, when relevant studies were firstly conducted, however, there is room for future research as the existing research framework: (a) is not about the Mediterranean cities as well as the Greek ones, (b) is not focused on public spaces in neighborhoods but only in city centres, (c) studies only specific aspects of public spaces that are approached (d)  by applying a high level of abstraction. Moreover, the existing studies (e) put an emphasis on qualitative analysis; at the same time, (f) comparative studies among the various types of public space is avoided. Within this framework, this research paper attempts to fill the knowledge gap presented above, by presenting a comparative study of two urban coefficients (street and public square) in neighborhood of the Greek capital. It is an empirical study whose aim is to understand the effects of design practice in public spaces vitality. Through this study, the human expression and behavior is actually attempted to be predicted by taking into account the various design qualities of public space. In that way, policy directions for urban renewal in Athens and other Greek cities is attempted to be formulated.