Abstract:
In the wake of heavy investment on public space in and around Colombo it is the
responsibility of designers to ensure that public funds are utilized for the creation
of context-appropriate public spaces which satisfy the expectations of all its
users.
A study was carried out to understand the difference in use and enjoyment of
public space by the different socio- economic groups that constitute society
today to help decipher the values they associate with it.
The cases chosen for the study were Galle Face, Independence Square (IPS) and
Diyatha Uyana.
The analysis of qualities provided at each place in conjunction with the
composition of its users and their opinions, helped identify the attributes of
public space that appealed to different socio-economic groups.
The study proceeded to identify commonalities and differences in preference
amongst these urban social groups, to understand if public space may be
neutral; so it suits all, irrespective of our differences.
