Check out to the episode:

You can find the shownotes through this link.

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Are you interested in how smart technology can enhance accessibility?

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Our summary today works with the article titled The use of the smart technology for creating an inclusive urban public space from 2023 by Mohammed Itair, Isam Shahrour, and Ihab Hijazi, published in the Smart Cities MDPI journal.

This is a great preparation to our next interview with Lucas Gil Nadolskis in episode 270 talking about his experience with technology assisting accessibility.

Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see how to make urban public space more inclusive with technology. This article presents a framework to assess inclusivity and suggests smart public spaces as a solution.

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Welcome to today’s What is The Future For Cities podcast and its Research episode; my name is Fanni, and today I will introduce a research paper by summarising it. The episode really is just a short summary of the original paper, and, in case it is interesting enough, I would encourage everyone to check out the whole paper. Stay tuned until because I will give you the 3 most important things and some questions which would be interesting to discuss.

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Public spaces are vital for urban life, offering places for social interaction, physical activity, and mental well-being. They are also essential for fostering community engagement, democracy, and economic vitality. However, access to public spaces remains insufficient in many parts of the world, especially for women, children, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals. The UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes this issue and calls for inclusive public spaces that are safe and accessible for all.

Despite the importance of public spaces, many cities fall short of the UN’s target, with over 75% of global cities offering less than 20% of their area as public space. The situation is worse in developing countries, where a lack of infrastructure and safety further marginalizes vulnerable populations. Studies have highlighted that women are particularly vulnerable to violence in public spaces, and individuals with disabilities often lack adequate facilities to navigate these environments.

Efforts to improve public spaces have focused on universal design, placemaking, and community-led initiatives. These approaches aim to ensure that public spaces are designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of their physical or social limitations. However, existing efforts remain fragmented, and a more cohesive strategy is needed to meet the global demand for inclusive public spaces.

The research developed a framework to evaluate public space inclusivity, focusing on both social and environmental factors. It was applied to the city of Nablus, a major urban centre in Palestine, where public spaces were assessed through site visits, surveys, and interviews. Data on spatial distribution, facilities, safety, and user satisfaction were collected from 63 public spaces across the city, with input from over 600 participants. The study aimed to understand the current challenges and provide recommendations for smart public space solutions.

The study revealed that Nablus faces significant challenges in providing inclusive public spaces. The per capita availability of public space is only 2.6 m² per person, far below international standards. The distribution of spaces is uneven, with most concentrated in the city centre, leaving low-income areas underserved. Furthermore, 41% of public spaces had unclear entrances, making access difficult, particularly for marginalized groups. Surveys also showed dissatisfaction with the availability of seating, lighting, and garbage disposal, with 60% of users identifying garbage management as a major issue.

The accessibility and distribution of public spaces emerged as a significant issue in the city of Nablus. The study found that many residents, particularly in low-income neighbourhoods, have limited access to public spaces, with some needing to walk over ten minutes to reach the nearest park or plaza. This is far from the ideal five-minute walking distance recommended by international standards. The situation is further complicated by unclear entrances and poor signage, making it difficult for citizens to locate and enter public spaces. Additionally, the size of these spaces is often insufficient, with most operating at a neighbourhood scale and lacking the green areas, seating, and recreational facilities that larger, more centralized public spaces provide.

Safety concerns also play a crucial role in the underutilization of public spaces, particularly by women. The study found that while 66% of men felt safe in public spaces during the day, only 19% of women reported feeling safe at night. This gender disparity underscores the need for better lighting, security measures, and inclusive design that addresses the specific safety concerns of women and other vulnerable groups. Similarly, people with disabilities are underrepresented among public space users, largely due to the absence of accessible facilities such as ramps, seating, and toilets that cater to their needs.

Smart public spaces address these challenges by using technology to enhance inclusivity and accessibility. Real-time monitoring through smart sensors and IoT devices tracks crowd density, air quality, and safety, helping to optimize public space management. For instance, sensors can notify authorities of overcrowding or maintenance needs, while apps guide users to accessible facilities. Additionally, smart public spaces promote sustainability by monitoring and managing resources like water and energy, aligning with broader environmental goals.

Citizen participation is another critical element of the smart public space concept. By involving residents in the governance and management of public spaces, cities can ensure that these areas reflect the needs and preferences of the communities they serve. This participation can take many forms, from crowdsourcing data on public space usage to involving citizens in the design and decision-making processes. This approach not only improves the functionality of public spaces but also fosters a sense of ownership and community engagement, which is essential for the long-term sustainability of these spaces.

Creating inclusive public spaces is essential for building healthier, more equitable cities. By adopting smart public space concepts, cities like Nablus can better meet the needs of diverse groups, from women and children to people with disabilities. Smart technology, coupled with citizen participation, has the potential to improve safety, access, and overall user satisfaction. However, future efforts must involve continuous data collection and engagement with marginalized communities to ensure that public spaces truly serve all citizens. Urban planners, policymakers, and local governments can use these insights to implement smart technology solutions that ensure public spaces are equitable, accessible, and safe for everyone.

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What was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Do you have any follow up question? Let me know on Twitter at WTF4Cities or on the wtf4cities.com website where the transcripts and show notes are available! Additionally, I will highly appreciate if you consider subscribing to the podcast or on the website. I hope this was an interesting paper for you as well, and thanks for tuning in!

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Finally, as the most important things, I would like to highlight 3 aspects:

1. Public spaces in Nablus are insufficient and unevenly distributed, particularly affecting low-income and marginalized groups.
2. Women and people with disabilities face significant challenges accessing and feeling safe in these spaces.
3. Smart public spaces, incorporating technology and citizen involvement, can address inclusivity challenges by improving safety, accessibility, and environmental sustainability.

Additionally, it would be great to talk about the following questions:

1. How can cities balance the need for technology in public spaces with maintaining a sense of community and human connection?
2. What role do you think citizens should play in the design and management of public spaces?
3. What role do you play in the design and management of public spaces?

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