scholarly journals AN EVALUATION ON LEVEL OF PUBLICNESS OF URBAN PUBLIC SPACES BY USING CORE DIMENSIONS; SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO GALLE FORT (SEA BATH AREA), FOREST (BEACH) PARK AREA, MAHAMODARA MARINE WALK AND OCEAN PATHWAY IN GALLE

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.L.K.T.B. Sandaruwan ◽  
◽  
C. Hewawasam ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Specific Reference ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Forest Park ◽  
Photographic Documentation ◽  
Park Area ◽  
Physical Dimensions

In 1990s, the decrement of non-built-up areas due to urbanization directly cause a reduction in the quality of life of the people & the occurrence of social issues in Sri Lanka due to monotonous lifestyles. Therefore, to overcome these issues with a sustainable Sri Lankan vision by 2030 urban beautification projects like urban public spaces, parks concept was introduced to Sri Lanka especially in suburban areas. Recently, the urban recreational spaces concept came to urban fabric with common characteristics that were developed as social spaces for community gathering and interactions with a variety of physical activities. Although with the emerging public space concept, there is no such consideration on research regarding an evaluation on publicness of urban public spaces by using physical dimensions; Specific Reference to Galle Fort (sea bath area), Forest Park area, Mahamodara Marine walk and Ocean Pathway in Galle. Further, there is no proper regulatory framework in public space monitoring & evaluation to improve the infrastructure of public space. The research aim is to evaluate the level of publicness of urban public spaces based on physical dimensions which are owned by public administration in Sri Lanka. Also, it focused to identify what parameters, need to evaluate the level of publicness and understand satisfaction levels of urban public spaces and key indicators, to assess how contributing indicators, influence to achieve the effectiveness of public spaces among users and to provide recommendations based on the experts’ and users’ views for future improvements of urban public spaces to enhance the publicness level in Sri Lanka. This study was focused on four urban public spaces with the dissimilarity of the availability of design characteristics in Galle. The methodology of the research was comprised of onsite observations, questionnaire surveys, semi-structured interviews, and photographic documentation. The data were quantitatively analysed by using the VIKOR model which is a democratic model to evaluate the publicness level, AHP analysis, and descriptive statistical analysis using SPSS and EXCEL. Qualitative analysis was based on content analysis and photographic documentation. According to the findings of the research, it proved that based on key physical dimensions, criteria, and indicators publicness level, effectiveness, and truly public or not in four case studies. The highest publicness level and satisfaction level occurred in Forest Park which proved the hypothesis of the study. Additionally, by providing more shady areas, proper waste management, proper sitting opportunities, provide proper security system and monitoring system for control spaces, provide diverse activities for all age categories are some of the comments based on respondents which need to be considered in planning & designing urban spaces for increase attraction levels which are benefited for urban planners and designer.

«Get in Your Theatres; the Street is Not Yours»: The Struggle for the Character of Public Space in Tunisia

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 54-69
Author(s):  
Heather Harrington
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Hip Hop ◽  
Freedom Of Expression ◽  
Social Scientist ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Political Issues ◽  
And Gender

Abstract How people move and appear in public spaces is a reflection of the cultural, religious and socio-political forces in a society. This article, built on an earlier work titled ’Site-Specific Dance: Women in the Middle East’ (2016), addresses the ways in which dance in a public space can support the principles of freedom of expression and gender equality in Tunisia. I explore the character of public space before, during, and after the Arab Spring uprisings. Adopting an ethnographic and phenomenological approach, I focus on the efforts of two Tunisian dancers – Bahri Ben Yahmed (a dancer, choreographer and filmmaker based in Tunis, who has trained in ballet, modern dance and hip hop) and Ahmed Guerfel (a dancer based in Gabès, who has trained in hip hop) – to examine movement in a public space to address political issues facing the society. An analysis of data obtained from Yahmed and Guerfel, including structured interviews, videos, photos, articles and e-mail correspondence, supports the argument that dance performed in public spaces is more effective in shaping the politics of the society than dance performed on the proscenium stage. Definitions and properties of everyday choreography, site and the proscenium stage are analysed, along with examples of site-specific political protest choreography in Egypt, Turkey and Tunisia. I engage with the theories of social scientist Erving Goffman, which propose that a public space can serve as a stage, where people both embody politics and can embody a protest against those politics.

Art and social displays in the branding of the city: Token screens or opportunities for difference?

First Monday ◽  
2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Nevárez
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Video Art ◽  
Times Square ◽  
Competitive Edge ◽  
Professional Class ◽  
The Times ◽  
The City

Even though urban screens can be seen as digital substitutes to public space image display, it is my contention that they are additional public spaces that as windows offer the potential of broadening use and participation. Most urban screens such as billboards have the purpose of displaying products for consumption within a cultural logic designed to address consumer audiences. The different strategies used to entice the consumer individual are varied, relying on culturally informed responses that advertisement agencies research. These strategies are also included in the way in which cities – through urban development initiatives – seek to generate a brand that will provide a competitive edge in attracting both a professional class of residents and tourists, to the city. This paper seeks to illustrate the uses of screens designed for the display of art in Times Square, NYC, their content as well as their role in the branding of the city with the aid of the Times Square Alliance that exemplifies trends in the privatisation of public space. By looking at the Panasonic Screen used by Creative time to display video art in that part of New York City, this paper will: 1) determine the content, purpose and possible meanings that emerge from the use of screens to display art and social issues as well as possibilities for other kinds of community and cultural contents different from the sole purpose of advertisement. A critical assessment of the content these images might offer, the inclusion of context and other pertinent information that could provide a broader perspective in the understanding of the images can be – it is my contention – acquired through the conceptualisation of screens to include the public spaces where they are located as an extension, a physical site for dialogue and public engagement.

scholarly journals Oferta de Parques Urbanos e Naturais em Sorocaba (SP): alavanca para políticas de uso público

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kleber Vinícius Barros Kachinsk ◽  
Maria Helena Mattos Barbosa dos Santos ◽  
Eliana Cardoso-Leite
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Central Element ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Urban Parks ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Systematic Observation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Public ◽  
Natural Parks

Conservar a natureza e garantir o uso pelas populações é elemento central na construção dos programas de uso público dos parques urbanos e naturais municipais, tendo em vista a relevância que os temas vinculados ao meio ambiente, assumem em nossa sociedade, sobretudo, em interface com valores e práticas imbricadas na estrutura social, econômica e política vigente. No que diz respeito ao desenvolvimento da consciência e de práticas de conservação ambiental, é fundamental considerar as características locais e, ao mesmo tempo, não apenas garantir o acesso a programas de educação não formal e de uso público de espaços coletivos e públicos, mas também fomentar práticas culturais e lazer nestes espaços. Isto porque, inclusive, os espaços públicos e seus usos implicados, considerando os apontamentos de Jacobs (2011), são fundamentais para as cidades mais vivas, seguras, sustentáveis e saudáveis. O presente trabalho aborda os parques em ambiente urbano, buscando analisar a distribuição destas áreas na cidade de Sorocaba e como se dá o uso do espaço público pela população, por meio de práticas recreativas e de lazer. O estudo de caráter exploratório, descritivo, pautado em abordagem quali-quanti, foi realizado por meio da combinação da pesquisa bibliográfica, documental e da pesquisa de campo, balizada por observação sistemática (suportada por protocolo de observação) e realização de entrevistas semiestruturadas, com os usuários dos parques urbanos e parques naturais municipais do município de Sorocaba. Estas pesquisas foram realizadas na área amostral de 8 parques da cidade (4 delimitados - cercados e 4 sem delimitação física - não cercados) e os resultados apontam que há disparidades na oferta de serviços com relação à política de atividades e ao quesito segurança, bem como recorrente demanda por melhorias da infraestrutura e paisagismo ambiental. Os parques de Sorocaba, são utilizados para a prática de esportes, para o descanso, encontro com amigos, passeios com crianças e contemplação da natureza. Entretanto, apesar do elevado número de parques criados e de sua distribuição atender a todas as regiões de Sorocaba, estes resultados suportam ações para uma intervenção mais assertiva das instituições do setor público, no que se refere à devida valorização da importância das atividades de cultura e lazer, inclusive àquelas destinadas ao fomento da preservação e conservação ambiental – via práticas de educação ambiental – em todas as regiões, que forçosamente resultarão em melhorias dos aspectos paisagísticos, da manutenção e conservação e dos resultados, inestimáveis, de maior segurança pública. Urban and Natural Parks supply in Sorocaba (SP, Brazil): encouragement for public use polices ABSTRACT Conserving nature and guaranteeing its use by the population is a central element in the construction of programs for the public use of urban parks, in view of the relevance that the themes related to the environment assume in our society, above all, interfacing with articulation values and practices in the current social, economic and political structure. Concerning the development of environmental awareness and conservation practices, it is essential to consider local characteristics and, at the same time, not only guarantee access to non-formal education programs and public use of collective and public spaces, but also promote cultural practices and leisure in these spaces. This is because public spaces and their uses, considering the Jacobs (2011) notes, are fundamental for cities that are more alive, safe, sustainable and healthy. he present work deals with the parks in an urban environment, trying to analyze the distribution of these areas in the city of Sorocaba and how the public space is used by the population, through recreational and leisure practices. The exploratory, descriptive study, based on a quali-quanti approach, was carried out through a combination of bibliographic, documentary and field research, using systematic observation (supported by observation protocol) and semi-structured interviews with users of urban parks and natural parks in the municipality of Sorocaba. These surveys were carried out in the sample area of 8 city parks (4 delimited - fenced and 4 without physical delimitation - not fenced) and the results indicate that there are disparities in the service offer in relation to the activities policy and the safety question, as well as environmental and landscape improvements. The parks of Sorocaba, are used for sports, for rest, meeting with friends, walks with children and contemplation of nature. However, despite the high number of parks created and their distributions serving all regions of Sorocaba, these results support actions for a more assertive intervention of public sector institutions, regarding the proper appreciation of the importance of culture and leisure activities , including those aimed at promoting environmental preservation and conservation - via environmental education practices - in all regions, which will inevitably result in improvements in the landscape, maintenance and conservation, and invaluable results of greater public safety. KEYWORDS: Urban Parks; Public Use; Leisure; Environment; Sorocaba-Brazil.

scholarly journals Creating Successful Elder-Friendly Spaces: A Conceptual Framework for Urban Public Spaces

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azadeh Lak ◽  
Reihaneh Aghamolaei ◽  
Hamid R Baradaran ◽  
Phyo K Myint
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Open Spaces ◽  
Urban Public Space ◽  
Active Life ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Elder People

Abstract Background: Although issues of elderly people’s active life in public spaces are increasingly being reevaluated, the amount of research dedicated to enhancing urban public space qualities based on the concept of elders’ preferences is still limited. Methods: This study aims to identify the elders’ preferences specially their use of public open spaces in residential neighborhoods. The research applied in two steps; first, Grounded Theory (GT) is conducted through semi-structured interviews. 52 in-depth interviews are conducted with the elderly. Results: The analyzed data will then be examined to extract the main categories. Second, the survey is conducted through a questionnaire developed by authors, inquiring 350 elder people and analyzed by SmartPLS technique to validate the results of the developed model Conclusion: The model of the elders’ preferences consists of Places Functional (PF), Places Preferences (PP), and Process in Environments (PE). The findings will highlight both their theoretical and practical implications for urban planners and designers.

scholarly journals Critical conversations: Social workers’ perceptions of the use of a closed Facebook group as a participatory professional space

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 42-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deb Stanfield ◽  
Liz Beddoe ◽  
Neil Ballantyne ◽  
Simon Lowe ◽  
Nicole Renata
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Social Networking Site ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Group Members

INTRODUCTION: The rise of social media has been associated with rapid growth in different forms of digital networking, debate and activism. Many studies have traced the role of social media in mobilising people to take action on shared issues of concern across the world. Yet, while networked public spaces offer many possibilities for professional engagement and interaction, the technology also shapes social dynamics, raising questions over professional boundaries and the nature of online behaviour.METHOD: The development of a closed professional group on the social networking site, Facebook, provided an ideal opportunity to explore social workers’ perceptions of participatory public space for professional deliberation and debate about public issues. Using a small-scale, case-study approach, group members were invited to complete an online survey and to participate in an interview which explored participants’ motivation for joining the group, the frequency and nature of their contributions, how it felt to be a member and what they valued or found problematic about the group.FINDINGS:  Those group members benefitted from the resources, research and professional development opportunities afforded to them and supported the professional potential and promise of social networking sites. They grappled with what constitutes ethical online behaviour and identified the site’s limitations and strengths as a place to promote robust professional dialogue on social issues. IMPLICATIONS: Analysis of social workers’ experience within participatory public spaces offers insight into how the profession can develop modern communication strategies and strong communities of practice in line with its professional principles and mandate.

scholarly journals Challenges and Opportunities for Sri Lankan Exporters in the German Market: A Specific Reference to the Electrical and Electronic Sector

2021 ◽  
pp. 118-133
Author(s):  
R. T. Vidyaratne ◽  
E. A. G. Sumanasiri
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Specific Reference ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Foreign Missions ◽  
German Market ◽  
Strategic Relationships ◽  
Trade Promotion

Foreign missions have been the pillars of trade promotion and in particular, of export and export-oriented investment. In Sri Lanka, the potential for export promotion to Germany is immense. However, it is discernible that there has been no coordinated effort by foreign missions to promote trade with Sri Lanka. At present, Sri Lanka maintains 52 High Commissions/Embassies overseas. In Sri Lanka, the Electrical and Electronic (EE) sector is one of the emerging sectors supported by the National Export Strategy (NES), and currently, the sector serves niche markets that have great potential to diversify in the area of Electrical and Electronic Components. The EE sector is also considered to have potential to stimulate innovation, research and development (R&D) and investment in Sri Lanka. Certain challenges are highlighted in the literature when promoting EEC as a major export of Sri Lanka. However, in this process of promoting exports in the EEC sector in the international market, foreign missions are recognized as the responsible stakeholder since they can facilitate the export process through diverse networks. Therefore, this research examines the challenges faced by Sri Lankan exporters when exporting to Germany, focusing especially on the Electrical and Electronic Sector. To achieve this research objective, a qualitative methodology was adopted as it permitted the researchers to understand human behaviour and thoughts to identify preferences in trade promotion activities. Primary data were collected through two main sources, namely, structured interviews and focus group discussions, while secondary sources such as international trade databases and trade maps were used to triangulate the data. The population of the study was Sri Lankan exporters and importers, trade support institutions and diplomats. In total, 14 semi-structured interviews were conducted using the convenience sampling method and snowball sampling. Analysis of data collected through semi-structured interviews (14) revealed that trade fairs and Business to Business meetings were vital opportunities to increase trade promotional activities of exporters. Major challenges faced by Sri Lanka exporters to the German market include the need for internalizing industries, limited recognition of Sri Lanka’s EEC sector locally and internationally, lack of business intelligence, lack of stakeholder communication, need to build strategic relationships and intergovernmental engagement. The study offers several recommendations to overcome trade barriers and to exploit the available opportunities in the host market.

scholarly journals The importance of public spaces to social integration for young migrant workers in Hanoi

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-120
Author(s):  
Le Lan Huong
Keyword(s):  
Social Integration ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Space Design

In Hanoi, there are currently tens of thousands of migrants working in peri-urban industrial zones and small-scale private manufacturing workshops in the inner city and construction sites. Many of them live in precarious houses, where the quality of life is rather poor, and they travel with little integration. For this reason, this project has been carried out and investigated how public spaces are used by the migrant workers, hereby finding out the difficulties they may have encountered while trying to integrate into the local community and suggesting some solutions to their integration by means of public space design. The main research methods include the qualitative survey with half-structured interviews conducted in three wards: Truong Dinh, Thuy Phuong and Sai Dong. The research outcomes reveal the most frequently-visited places among young migrant workers. It is noticeable that they do not go there very often. The main reason for this fact is that they do not have enough time or money. In addition, there is a lack of good-quality public space near their homes and their understanding of the importance of public space remains incomplete. This study also suggests that how those public buildings could be created for those workers to attend public activities. Then social connections will be cemented.Keywords: migrant workers; social integration; public spaces.

scholarly journals The Impact of Personal Characteristics on Personal Branding in Reflection to the Employability

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 38-50
Author(s):  
Prassanna Pathmanathan ◽  
Nadeeja Dodamgoda
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Private Universities ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Specific Reference ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
State Sector ◽  
Personal Branding ◽  
The Impact

Unemployment is a major problem Sri Lanka is facing over the years. Although 22,000 graduates pass out every year from state and private universities, there is always a gap between what employers expect in a graduate and what the graduate could offer to the employer. This research focus on the employability of the IT graduates passing out from state and private universities, with specific reference to their personal characteristics and personal branding. Personal branding is a major concern with respect to the recruitment of any graduate. IT graduates especially are expected to have certain personal characteristics which determine their personal branding and influence their employability. The main objective of this research is to determine the impact of the personal characteristics such as personal identity, personal image and personal positioning on employability of IT graduates and to analyze their mediation effect with the personal branding. Further, an attempt is made to determine whether the personal branding and employability of IT graduates significantly differ based on the university type (state and private). The research mainly focuses on quantitative analysis by piloting a questionnaire to 300 IT graduates following a hypothetical deductive method. The findings through the quantitative data are followed up based on qualitative data collected through semi-structured interviews with HR and Recruitment Managers of IT companies. Findings of this research revealed that personal characteristics have a strong impact on the employability of an IT graduate and this relationship is mediated by personal branding. Further, IT graduates passing out from private sector universities have stronger personal characteristics and personal branding compared to the graduates passing out from state sector universities. Thus, they are more employable compared to IT graduates passing out from state sector universities in Sri Lanka.  

Reconstruction Of Urban Parks Of Culture And Rest Of The Soviet Period

2019 ◽  
pp. 61-65
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Senior Citizens ◽  
Urban Parks ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Historical Background ◽  
Soviet Period ◽  
Limited Mobility ◽  
Functional Zoning ◽  
Functional Areas ◽  
The City

This article analyzes the main problems of urban public spaces, because today public spaces can determine the future of cities. It is noted that parks are multifunctional public spaces in the urban environment, as they are an important element of the citywide system of landscaping and recreation, perform health, cultural, educational, aesthetic and environmental functions. The article notes that the need for easily accessible and well-maintained urban parks remains, however, the state of parks in many cities of Russia remains unsatisfactory, requiring reconstruction. A brief historical background of the Park of Culture and Rest of the Soviet period in Omsk is expounded, the analysis of the existing territory of the Park is presented. It is revealed that the Park, being the largest public space in Omsk, does not meet the requirements of modern urbanism, although it represents a great potential for designing the space for the purpose of recreation of citizens. Performed functional zoning scheme of the territory of the Park in question, where its division into functional areas destined for active recreational users of the Park is presented, considered the interests of senior citizens, people with limited mobility, etc. Reconstruction of Parks of the Soviet period can provide the city with additional recreational opportunities, as well as increase its tourist attractiveness.

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