Public Realm

Those involved in the creation of public spaces think a great deal about the users of those spaces. Users think little, if at all, about those who create them. There are many: planners, developers, investors, contractors, special-interest groups, governments from local to national, and above all in this book, designers. The complex sets of relationships in which the designer is enmeshed remain largely unknown, as does the effect of those relationships on the public spaces they design. In "super-diverse" cities like London, a successful public realm, where people can be together in trust and tolerance, is essential. A city's commitment to design quality indicates a commitment to civic health.