{"id":37759,"date":"2025-01-06T10:00:47","date_gmt":"2025-01-06T18:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/?p=37759"},"modified":"2025-08-14T10:46:42","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T17:46:42","slug":"s101s-understanding-public-space-the-basics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2025\/01\/06\/s101s-understanding-public-space-the-basics\/","title":{"rendered":"S101S: Defining Public Space: The Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/01\/S101S_Spacing_logoBanner_d1_600-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-36256\" src=\"http:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/01\/S101S_Spacing_logoBanner_d1_600-600x72.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"72\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/01\/S101S_Spacing_logoBanner_d1_600-600x72.jpg 600w, https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/01\/S101S_Spacing_logoBanner_d1_600-300x36.jpg 300w, https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/01\/S101S_Spacing_logoBanner_d1_600-768x92.jpg 768w, https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/01\/S101S_Spacing_logoBanner_d1_600-1536x184.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/01\/S101S_Spacing_logoBanner_d1_600-2048x246.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/01\/S101S_Spacing_logoBanner_d1_600-940x113.jpg 940w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Public space is a dynamic and essential part of our collective urban experience. Streets, parks, plazas, and beaches serve as the everyday settings where life unfolds\u2014places where we gather, play, protest, and rest. These spaces are indispensable to our health, democracy, and shared identity. After all, what is a city without public spaces?<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Despite their importance, public spaces are seldom clearly defined, and even when attempts are made, consensus on their dimensions can be elusive. This lack of clarity may explain why public spaces are often taken for granted\u2014only missed when they disappear or are altered beyond recognition. It may also be why designing successful public spaces poses such a challenge. Understanding the multifaceted value of public spaces is crucial to preserving and enhancing them for future generations. So, let\u2019s look at this in a little more depth to gain some clarity. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Urban anthropologist Setha Low\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/book\/44643?login=false\"><span class=\"s2\"><i>Why Public Space Matters<\/i><\/span><\/a><span class=\"s1\"> provides a comprehensive framework for appreciating the dimensions of public spaces. Drawing from decades of ethnographic research, Low identifies six core dimensions that encapsulate their value:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><b><\/b><span class=\"s1\"><b>Social Justice and Democratic Practices:<\/b> Public spaces foster social inclusion, representation, and recognition of difference. They are sites of collective action and dissent, where democratic life is negotiated and performed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b><\/b><span class=\"s1\"><b>Health and Well-Being:<\/b> Spaces like parks and plazas promote physical activity, mental health, and resilience while fostering safety and emotional security. Thoughtful design ensures accessibility for all.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b><\/b><span class=\"s1\"><b>Play and Recreation:<\/b> Public spaces encourage creativity, socialization, and relaxation, offering opportunities for joy and connection through sports, festivals, and quiet reflection.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b><\/b><span class=\"s1\"><b>Informal Economy and Social Capital:<\/b> These spaces support street vendors, artists, and entrepreneurs while helping immigrants and newcomers build networks and integrate into their communities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b><\/b><span class=\"s1\"><b>Environmental and Ecological Sustainability:<\/b> Public spaces provide essential ecological services such as shade, clean air, and stormwater management while fostering environmental awareness and stewardship.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b><\/b><span class=\"s1\"><b>Cultural identity and Place Attachment:<\/b> Public spaces anchor communities in their history and traditions through monuments, artistic expression, and shared rituals that create a sense of belonging.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">One might note that most public spaces within our cities meet few, if any, of Low\u2019s criteria. Too frequently, thoughtless and uncared-for spaces are described as \u201cpublic spaces.\u201d Similarly, many wrongly default to the belief that successful \u201cpublic spaces\u201d can simply be created by attaching them to commerce. Nothing can be further from the truth. The creation of authentic public spaces requires a lot of careful intention. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">As such,<i> not all open spaces qualify as true public spaces<\/i>. The distinction lies in how they are used and whom they are designed to serve. Authentic public spaces are inherently inclusive, welcoming people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. They signal belonging through thoughtful design\u2014playgrounds for children, chess tables for elders, accessible pathways for wheelchairs and strollers, to name just a few elements. They allow <i>all<\/i> people to relax and feel \u201cat home\u201d while welcoming newcomers into the fold.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Ultimately, The essence of public space lies in its ability to intertwine the diverse, sometimes conflicting, threads of society into a cohesive tapestry. These spaces form the physical and social infrastructure that supports community life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">However, public spaces are increasingly under threat. Crises, such as pandemics, may lead to temporary closures, revealing their absence as profoundly disruptive. In times of unchecked or rapid development, they risk permanent erasure, sacrificed to commercial interests that prioritize profit over people. Fear and exclusionary policies can also make them inaccessible, undermining their democratic purpose.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Despite their profound significance, public spaces often rank low on urban planning agendas. Policymakers and even residents frequently fail to see their value until it is too late. The loss of public spaces is more than aesthetic. This neglect is tragic, especially given the transformative potential of public spaces to make neighbourhoods healthier, more inclusive, and more cohesive.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">At their best, public spaces balance utility with care. They are places where conflict can be expressed safely and resolved democratically. They are stages for celebration and sites for protest, places where history is honoured and futures are imagined. They aren\u2019t static; they evolve with the communities they serve, reflecting their struggles, joys, and aspirations. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">As cities grow and change, the role of public spaces becomes ever more vital. They are not luxuries but necessities for thriving societies. By investing in public spaces\u2014through thoughtful design, inclusive policies, and ecologically responsible management\u2014we can ensure they remain places of connection, creativity, and care.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Public space is where we come together as individuals and as a collective. It is where we find common ground, even in moments of difference. These spaces are not merely backdrops to urban life; they are its heart, its soul, and its promise.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\"><i>In summary:<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Public space is essential to community life, serving as a site for gathering, play, protest, and rest.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Setha Low&#8217;s <i>Why Public Space Matters<\/i> outlines six dimensions of public space that contribute to human flourishing:<\/span>\n<ul class=\"ul2\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><b><\/b><span class=\"s1\"><b>Social justice and democratic practices<\/b>: Promotes inclusion, representation, and collective action.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b><\/b><span class=\"s1\"><b>Health and well-being<\/b>: Enhances physical and mental health, safety, and accessibility.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b><\/b><span class=\"s1\"><b>Play and recreation<\/b>: Encourages creativity, socialization, and relaxation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b><\/b><span class=\"s1\"><b>Informal economy and social capital<\/b>: Supports small businesses, integration of newcomers, and social networks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b><\/b><span class=\"s1\"><b>Environmental and ecological sustainability<\/b>: Provides ecological services and fosters environmental awareness.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b><\/b><span class=\"s1\"><b>Cultural identity and place attachment<\/b>: Anchors communities through shared history, rituals, and artistic expression.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\">Few spaces described as \u201cpublic\u201d are authentically public space.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\">Attaching commercial uses to a space does not make it truly a public space.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">The distinction between <b>open<\/b> and <b>public<\/b> spaces lies in their performative qualities: open spaces are accessible but may not actively support community integration or interaction, while public spaces foster inclusivity, belonging, and active participation in everyday life.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Public spaces are often undervalued, threatened by development, crisis closures, or exclusionary policies.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">A lack of investment, poor management, and prioritization of commercial over community interests jeopardize their purpose.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">These spaces play a critical role in fostering creativity, cultural exchange, and collective memory through festivals, performances, and monuments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Thoughtful design, inclusive policies, and sustainable management can preserve and enhance public spaces.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Strengthening public spaces can transform neighbourhoods into healthier, more equitable, and socially cohesive environments.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\"><i>Some Useful Resources:<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><b><\/b><span class=\"s1\"><b>Setha Low<\/b> \u2013 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/book\/44643?login=false\"><span class=\"s2\"><i>Why Public Space Matters<\/i><\/span><\/a><span class=\"s1\">: Explores six key dimensions of public space and their role in fostering social, cultural, and environmental flourishing.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b><\/b><span class=\"s1\"><b>Jane Jacobs<\/b> \u2013 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Death_and_Life_of_Great_American_Cities\"><span class=\"s2\"><i>The Death and Life of Great American Cities<\/i><\/span><\/a><span class=\"s1\">: A seminal text emphasizing the importance of vibrant, well-used public spaces in urban life.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b><\/b><span class=\"s1\"><b>William H. Whyte<\/b> \u2013 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Social_Life_of_Small_Urban_Spaces\"><span class=\"s2\"><i>The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces<\/i><\/span><\/a><span class=\"s1\">: A classic and practical study on the interaction between people and public spaces, with insights into design and functionality. It also has an accompanying <a href=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/details\/social-life-of-small-urban-spaces\">video<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>\u00c1lvaro Sevilla-Buitrago<\/strong> <span class=\"s1\"> \u2013 <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.upress.umn.edu\/9781517911768\/against-the-commons\/\">Against the Commons: A Radical History of Urban Planning<\/a><\/em>: Offers a radical counterhistory of urban planning, spanning three centuries, showing how capitalist urbanization has eroded the egalitarian, convivial life-worlds around the commons.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b><\/b><span class=\"s1\"><b>Don Mitchell<\/b> \u2013 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/details\/righttocitysocia0000mitc\"><span class=\"s2\"><i>The Right to the City: Social Justice and the Fight for Public Space<\/i><\/span><\/a><span class=\"s1\">: Analyzes struggles over access to and control of public spaces, focusing on social justice.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b><\/b><span class=\"s1\"><b>Henri Lefebvre<\/b> \u2013 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/details\/productionofspac00lefe_0\"><span class=\"s2\"><i>The Production of Space<\/i><\/span><\/a><span class=\"s1\">: Explores the social construction of space and its implications for urban life and public realms.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Shannon Mattern<\/b> \u2013 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.upress.umn.edu\/9781517902445\/code-and-clay-data-and-dirt\/\"><span class=\"s2\"><i>Code and Clay, Data and Dirt<\/i><\/span><\/a><span class=\"s1\">: Examinesthe intersections of technology, infrastructure, and public space in urban environments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gehlpeople.com\/\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Gehl Institute<\/b><\/span><\/a><span class=\"s1\"> \u2013 Public Life Tools &amp; Resources: Offers tools and case studies for designing inclusive public spaces and measuring their impact.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/unhabitat.org\/global-public-space-toolkit-from-global-principles-to-local-policies-and-practice\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>UN Habitat<\/b> \u2013 <i>Global Public Space Toolkit<\/i><\/span><\/a><span class=\"s1\">: A guide for creating and sustaining inclusive, accessible public spaces worldwide.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pps.org\/\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Project for Public Spaces (PPS)<\/b><\/span><\/a><span class=\"s1\">: Provides frameworks and resources for placemaking to enhance community connection and well-being.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/reimagining-the-civic-commons\">Reimagining the Civic Commons<\/a>: Offers a variety of articles related to public spaces.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p9\"><span class=\"s1\">**<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\"><i>Other pieces in the S101S:<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\"><a href=\"http:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2023\/01\/18\/s101-series-introduction-and-call\/\"><span class=\"s1\">S101 Series: Introduction and Call<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2023\/02\/06\/s101s-understanding-residential-density-why-is-it-so-confusing\/\"><span class=\"s1\">S101S: Understanding Residential Density: Why is it so Confusing?<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2023\/02\/06\/s101s-understanding-residential-density-why-is-it-so-confusing\/\"><span class=\"s1\">S101S: Understanding Residential Density: Net vs Gross Density<\/span><\/a>\u2022<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><a href=\"http:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2023\/06\/26\/s101s-understanding-residential-density-fsr-building-setbacks-and-height-regulations\/\"><span class=\"s1\">S101S: Understanding Residential Density: FSR, Building Setbacks and Height Regulations<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"li2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2024\/04\/29\/s101s-understanding-shadow-studies-why-they-matter\/\">S101S : Understanding Shadow Studies: Why They Matter<\/a> &#8211;<\/li>\n<li class=\"li2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2025\/02\/17\/s101s-what-is-a-development-pro-forma-and-why-should-you-care\/\">S101S: What\u2019s a Development Pro Forma\u2014And Why Should you Care?<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s4\"><a href=\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2025\/01\/06\/s101s-understanding-public-space-the-basics\/\"><span class=\"s5\">S101S: Defining Public Space: The Basics<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li4\"><span class=\"s6\"><a href=\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2024\/12\/09\/s101s-clarifying-affordable-housing-the-trickle-down-theory-of-housing\/\"><span class=\"s7\">S101S: Understanding Affordable Housing: The Trickle-Down Theory of Housing \u2013 Myths and Realities<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li4\"><a href=\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2023\/09\/11\/s101s-describing-building-types-why-they-matter\/\"><span class=\"s8\">S101S: Describing Building Types: Why They Matter<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"li4\"><span class=\"s9\"><a href=\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-admin\/post.php?post=36598&amp;action=edithttps:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2023\/09\/25\/s101s-describing-building-types-formal-and-use-types\/\"><span class=\"s10\">S101S: Describing Building Types: Formal and Use-Types<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li4\"><span class=\"s9\"><a href=\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2023\/07\/24\/s101s-explaining-trainsit-oriented-development-benefits-and-drawbacks\/\"><span class=\"s10\">S101S: Explaining Transit-Oriented Development: Benefits and Drawbacks<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>*<\/p>\n<p class=\"p9\"><span class=\"s1\"><b><i>Erick Villagomez<\/i><\/b><i> is the Editor-in-Chief at Spacing Vancouver and teaches at UBC\u2019s School of Community and Regional Planning. He is also the author of <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/settlement\/\">The Laws of Settlements: 54 Laws Underlying Settlements Across Scale and Culture<\/a><i>.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Public space is a dynamic and essential part of our collective urban experience. Streets, parks, plazas, and beaches serve as the everyday settings where life unfolds\u2014places where we gather, play, protest, and rest. These spaces are indispensable to our health, democracy, and shared identity. After all, what is a city without public spaces? Despite their<a href=\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2025\/01\/06\/s101s-understanding-public-space-the-basics\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"sr-only\">&#8220;S101S: Defining Public Space: The Basics&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6004,"featured_media":37767,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[11230,15,11232,26,6670,36,11235],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37759","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-culture","category-features","category-neighbourhoods","category-politics","category-streetscape","category-urban-design"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>S101S: Defining Public Space: The Basics - Spacing Vancouver<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2025\/01\/06\/s101s-understanding-public-space-the-basics\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"S101S: Defining Public Space: The Basics - Spacing Vancouver\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Public space is a dynamic and essential part of our collective urban experience. Streets, parks, plazas, and beaches serve as the everyday settings where life unfolds\u2014places where we gather, play, protest, and rest. These spaces are indispensable to our health, democracy, and shared identity. After all, what is a city without public spaces? Despite theirContinue reading &quot;S101S: Defining Public Space: The Basics&quot;\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2025\/01\/06\/s101s-understanding-public-space-the-basics\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Spacing Vancouver\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-01-06T18:00:47+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-08-14T17:46:42+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/01\/citizens_protest_600px.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"390\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Erick Villagomez\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@Spacing\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@Spacing\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Erick Villagomez\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2025\/01\/06\/s101s-understanding-public-space-the-basics\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2025\/01\/06\/s101s-understanding-public-space-the-basics\/\",\"name\":\"S101S: Defining Public Space: The Basics - Spacing Vancouver\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2025\/01\/06\/s101s-understanding-public-space-the-basics\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2025\/01\/06\/s101s-understanding-public-space-the-basics\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/01\/citizens_protest_600px.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-01-06T18:00:47+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-14T17:46:42+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/#\/schema\/person\/0b341199f07f5a317998ac7dcfa73204\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2025\/01\/06\/s101s-understanding-public-space-the-basics\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2025\/01\/06\/s101s-understanding-public-space-the-basics\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2025\/01\/06\/s101s-understanding-public-space-the-basics\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/01\/citizens_protest_600px.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/01\/citizens_protest_600px.jpg\",\"width\":600,\"height\":390,\"caption\":\"The 1938 Bloody Sunday protest at Oppenheimer Park, where thousands of locals protested against police violence towards Depression-era strikers. 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He is also the author of The Laws of Settlements: 54 Laws Underlying Settlements Across Scale and Culture. 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