ARKI_HIGHFIVE

A good design checklist
Attractive public spaces provide room for optional and social activities. How is it possible to transform the vision of an attractive public realm into actual physical spaces? Analysis of existing well-functioning public spaces throughout the world shows that they share common characteristics. arki_lab has categorized and summarized these characteristics in the “25 criteria” in this page.

Public spaces must be inviting, attractive, and provide room for recreation, pleasure, exercise, play, etc. They must be able to attract a broad variety of people, so that children, teenagers, adults, the elderly, and people with special needs all feel welcome. If public spaces are attractive, one can, in good weather, expect both ‘have to’ and ‘want to’ activities to take place. Good public spaces reflect the majority, if not all, of the “25 quality criteria”. As such, the list of criteria provides a good design checklist.

THE HIGH-FIVE CHECKLIST

25 criteria for urban quality

1. CONTEXT

Urban concepts

  • Identify change

  • Make a living plan

  • Create a defined urban edge

  • Subtract spaces

  • Develop a pedestrian laneway system

4. SPACE

Public space

  • Create a “staying” city

  • Introduce a central square

  • Integrate incidental spaces

  • Design urban green space

  • Design smart parking

2. LIFE

Community

  • Mix it up

  • Ensure life-long living

  • Create reasons to meet

  • Ensure clear zoning

  • Develop high-quality edges

5. BUILDINGS

Identity

  • Develop area concepts

  • Balance the density with height

  • Develop variation

  • Develop retail and cultural diversity

  • Make a safe city

3. INFRASTRUCTURE

Connectivity

  • Develop a street hierarchy

  • Make traffic improvements

  • Make good connections to public transport

  • Make a walking and cycling city

  • Remove barriers