Urban Public Spaces and Vitality: A Socio-Spatial Analysis in the Streets of Cypriot Towns

Abstract

This paper focuses on the issue of vitality in urban public spaces, streets in particular, as a major indicator of their success. The study first provides a theoretical framework for understanding the social value and role of urban public spaces on quality of urban life; second, it discusses the essential components of vitality in streets. Finally, investigating vitality and its determinants in two major streets in Famagusta and Kyrenia, North Cyprus, the paper highlights the issues of proper connections and proximity to important magnets, and physical and social attributes in the street area. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies(cE-Bs), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia