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Designing public spaces through the lively planning integrative perspective

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Abstract

The current sustainability-driven urban reality is complex. Planning for such a multidimensional environment is even more complex. Alternatives to traditional planning approaches are sought in an attempt to create liveable and lively urban public spaces. The lively planning approach is based on the principles of place-making, planning scales and within various planning dimensions, with the aim to design successful public spaces. This paper evaluates the role that lively planning integrated approach can play in creating sustainable, liveable and lively public spaces, by determining the scale of implementation and identifying the dimensions of lively planning that could be incorporated in public space design and planning. The scale and dimensions of the lively planning integrative approach are linked to each another, and examples of elements to be incorporated in the design of a public space are included as a conclusion of this research.

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Acknowledgments

This work forms part of the INTERREG EU Project LICI (Lively Cities), http://www.lively-cities.eu/.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wageningen University of Applied Sciences, Van Hall Larenstein, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    E. J. Cilliers, W. Timmermans, F. van den Goorbergh & J. S. A. Slijkhuis

  2. Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa

    E. J. Cilliers

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  1. E. J. Cilliers
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  2. W. Timmermans
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  3. F. van den Goorbergh
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  4. J. S. A. Slijkhuis
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Correspondence to E. J. Cilliers.

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Cilliers, E.J., Timmermans, W., van den Goorbergh, F. et al. Designing public spaces through the lively planning integrative perspective. Environ Dev Sustain 17, 1367–1380 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-014-9610-1

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