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An Improved Publicness Assessment Tool Based on a Combined Spatial Model: Case Study of Guangzhou, China

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  • Yunjing Wu

    (Guangzhou Urban Planning & Design Survey Research Institute, Guangzhou 510060, China
    Guangdong Enterprise Key Laboratory for Urban Sensing, Monitoring and Early Warning, Guangzhou 510060, China)

  • Jing Wang

    (School of Architecture, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510000, China)

  • Sunnie Sing-Yeung Lau

    (SOSArchitecture Urban Design Studio, Hong Kong 999077, China)

  • Stephen Siu Yu Lau

    (Department of Architecture, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
    Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China)

  • Yijia Miao

    (Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China)

Abstract

By 2021, the urbanization rate of China had reached as high as 64.72%. At the same time, the efficiency-driven urban planning paradigm had shifted to that of an efficiency-and-fairness intent. Fairness refers to the publicness of public open spaces (POS) as an indicator of an inclusive and fair city. The authors are interested in the measure of POS. However, few studies evaluated POS by effective assessment frameworks and tools. Based on this critique, the authors propose to integrate a qualitative assessment tool—the Star Model, with that of a quantitative assessment tool—the Space Syntax, for assessing publicness and enhancing the understanding of POS (streets and squares). There are two conclusions: (1) The combined use of the quantitative and qualitative tools provides accuracy and enables a comprehensive understanding of public spaces, namely, the mechanism of publicness—of both bottom-up POS and top-down POS. On the one hand, bottom-up POS is an outcome of the spatial system enabled by a networked structure of space. On the other, the publicness of top-down POS can be largely twisted by the government and urban designers rather than the residents. (2) This research has introduced an improved combined tool for the benefits of both policymakers and planners.

Suggested Citation

  • Yunjing Wu & Jing Wang & Sunnie Sing-Yeung Lau & Stephen Siu Yu Lau & Yijia Miao, 2022. "An Improved Publicness Assessment Tool Based on a Combined Spatial Model: Case Study of Guangzhou, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-27, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:22:p:14711-:d:966698
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Ruijie Zhang & Miquel Martí Casanovas & Montserrat Bosch González & Sijie Sun, 2024. "Revitalizing Heritage: The Role of Urban Morphology in Creating Public Value in China’s Historic Districts," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-18, November.

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