Urban Public Square Examining Principles by Project for Public Spaces in the Indian Context: Case of Manek Chowk

Abstract

Public Spaces exist as a reflection of those who occupy it and the city or town as a whole. It is a place where people express themselves collectively, spend time in the presence of other people, gather for socializing or raising voices or celebrating. It has been said that public spaces can be tagged as the living room of the city. Public squares particularly, hold their own importance as a public space. Not necessarily shaped as squares, their ability to pull people towards them, to encourage a range of activities and users, to provide a space for cultural, social and democratic exchange are only a few things that define them. Having almost lost their meaning and importance for a few years, public squares around the world are now being re-activated again. In this case where they are particular to a specific place and their success almost solely depends on the expression and beliefs of those who occupy it, is it really acceptable to use principles which are ‘relevant globally’? This research focuses on recognizing the importance and ‘meaning’ of public squares based on findings derived through study of people in public spaces. Later examining the relevance of ‘globally suitable’ principles, derived from similar methods, in the Indian context of public squares.