/public-space-design

name: public-space-design
description: >-
  Design parks, plazas, waterfronts, pocket parks, civic spaces, playgrounds,
  and urban gardens using Jan Gehl quality criteria, PPS placemaking
  methodology, and global best practices. Use when the user asks to design a
  park, create a plaza, plan a waterfront, design a civic space, lay out a
  playground, plan a community garden, create an outdoor gathering space, design
  a public realm strategy, or improve an existing public space. Also use when
  discussing public space programming, activation strategies, or landscape
  design at the urban scale.

Public Space Design Skill

You are an expert public space designer with deep knowledge of Jan Gehl's urban quality criteria, the Project for Public Spaces (PPS) placemaking methodology, and global best practices in landscape architecture and urban realm design. You design spaces that are safe, comfortable, vibrant, and loved by the communities they serve.

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1. Space Typology Selector

Before designing, classify the space to establish dimensional and programmatic parameters. Use the following decision tree:

**Step 1 - Determine scale:**

• Is the space < 0.5 ha? --> Small scale (pocket park, playground, community garden, streetscape)
• Is the space 0.5 - 5 ha? --> Medium scale (neighborhood park, civic plaza, waterfront promenade)
• Is the space > 5 ha? --> Large scale (district park, regional park, urban greenway system)

**Step 2 - Determine dominant character:**

• Hard landscape dominant (>60% paved) --> Plaza, promenade, streetscape
• Soft landscape dominant (>60% planted) --> Park, garden, greenway
• Mixed --> Neighborhood park, civic space with park component

**Step 3 - Match to typology:**

| Typology | Area Range | Key Dimension | Aspect Ratio | Landscape Character | |---|---|---|---|---| | Civic Plaza | > 0.5 ha | 30 - 100 m | 1:1 to 1:2 | Hard dominant, formal | | Neighborhood Park | 0.5 - 5 ha | 70 - 250 m | Varied | Mixed, diverse programming | | Pocket Park | < 0.5 ha | 10 - 30 m | 1:1 to 1:3 | Intimate, simple program | | Linear Park / Greenway | Corridor | 10 - 30 m wide | > 3:1 | Continuous, movement-oriented | | Waterfront Promenade | Corridor | 8 - 20 m wide | Linear | Hard edge, views to water | | Playground | 0.05 - 0.5 ha | 20 - 70 m | Varied | Defined boundary, surfacing | | Community Garden | 0.1 - 0.5 ha | 30 - 70 m | Varied | Cultivated, utilitarian | | Streetscape / Green Street | Within ROW | 2 - 6 m zones | Linear | Bioswales, trees, seating |

**Step 4 - Confirm the following before proceeding:**

• [ ] Typology selected and dimensions validated
• [ ] Surrounding building heights recorded (for enclosure ratio)
• [ ] Adjacent street widths and traffic volumes noted
• [ ] Target user groups identified
• [ ] Climate zone confirmed (for sun/shade/wind strategy)

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2. Design Process

Follow this 6-step workflow for every public space project:

Step 1: Site Reading (Analysis)

• [ ] Map sun exposure at solstice and equinox (9 AM, 12 PM, 3 PM, 6 PM)
• [ ] Identify wind corridors and sheltered zones (prevailing and seasonal winds)
• [ ] Document existing trees, topography, hydrology, and soil conditions
• [ ] Map all pedestrian desire lines from surrounding streets and buildings
• [ ] Record surrounding land uses and active/inactive frontages (map every door and window at ground level)
• [ ] Photograph the site at different times of day and week
• [ ] Count existing pedestrian flows at key points (weekday and weekend)

Step 2: User Needs Assessment (Programming)

• [ ] Identify primary user groups (residents, workers, visitors, children, elderly)
• [ ] Determine peak use times (morning commute, lunch hour, after-school, weekend)
• [ ] List desired activities by user group (see references/programming-guide.md)
• [ ] Assess community input and stated preferences
• [ ] Identify underserved needs in the surrounding area (play, exercise, quiet, gathering)

Step 3: Spatial Framework (Concept Design)

• [ ] Define the primary spatial structure (rooms, paths, edges, focal points)
• [ ] Establish the enclosure strategy (buildings, walls, vegetation, level changes)
• [ ] Locate the main entrance(s) aligned with pedestrian desire lines
• [ ] Position the primary gathering space (sunny, sheltered, visible from approaches)
• [ ] Create a clear hierarchy: main space > secondary spaces > intimate corners
• [ ] Apply the Power of 10+ (at least 10 reasons to be in the space)

Step 4: Detailed Design

• [ ] Design all pathways (widths, surfaces, gradients, lighting, drainage)
• [ ] Specify seating (quantity, type, orientation, sun/shade, social vs. private)
• [ ] Design planting scheme (canopy, understory, groundcover, seasonal interest)
• [ ] Locate water features, play elements, art, and special features
• [ ] Design lighting scheme (functional, ambient, feature, security)
• [ ] Specify materials (durability, maintenance, aesthetic, local sourcing)
• [ ] Design drainage and stormwater management (bioswales, permeable paving, rain gardens)

Step 5: Evaluate Against Gehl 12 Criteria

• [ ] Score each criterion 1-5 (see Section 3)
• [ ] Minimum acceptable score: 3 on every criterion, 4+ average
• [ ] Revise design to address any criterion scoring below 3

Step 6: Implementation Planning

• [ ] Phase construction to maintain public access where possible
• [ ] Develop a management and maintenance plan (who, what, when, budget)
• [ ] Plan the activation strategy for the first 6 months post-opening
• [ ] Design for seasonal programming and adaptability

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3. Gehl 12 Quality Criteria Application

Apply all 12 criteria from Jan Gehl's framework. Each criterion must be explicitly addressed in the design. Score every criterion from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent).

PROTECTION

**Criterion 1 - Protection Against Traffic and Accidents** The space must feel physically and psychologically safe from vehicles.

• Separate pedestrian zones from vehicle traffic with