Original scientific paper

TOWN INHABITANTS ABOUT SQUARES AS PUBLIC AREAS - EXAMPLE OF ZAGREB, RIJEKA AND ZADAR

Mirjana Miškić-Domislić ; Zagreb, Hrvatska
Petra Pereković ; Agronomski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Branka Aničić ; Agronomski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska

Abstract

The social changes that have occurred in this region over the last twenty years are also visible in the case of Croatian cities. The rapid urban growth in the last two decades was rarely followed by construction of open public spaces of equal scale and quality, including squares and other typologies. At the same time, a large number of planning and reconstruction projects of existing public spaces came to realisation. Given that some of these urban interventions have provoked quite negative public reactions (e.g. the Split waterfront, Flower Square in Zagreb, etc.), it was considered important to investigate the public opinion of the open public spaces design in Croatia. This research was designed to gather data on the use of public squares, as well as aspirations and needs of their users. It's was conducted as a questionnaire in three major cities: Zagreb, Rijeka and Zadar. The result of the research is public opinion, which can be used in planning or as design guidelines for future construction of public squares. The results of this research indicate the lack of socio-cultural facilities and adequate urban inventory even on the most frequently visited city squares. Furthermore, only the central town squares are identified as city landmarks. In addition, socio-cultural facilities and the quality of the space conditions in terms of presence of all those elements which make some place pleasant for longer stay (e.g. intimate atmosphere, noise, traffic, sun or wind protection, etc.) seems to be the key factors of space usage.

Keywords

open public spaces; city squares; social activities; users needs; quality of life

Hrčak ID:

118508

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/118508

Publication date:

20.3.2014.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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