S2E5 - The best 3 books on public space architecture we could think of

Ludovica and Leonardo take some time with the listeners to share three reading suggestions that are worthwhile to focus on the meaning of a landmark and how to develop a public space that is capable of influencing community habits and enhancing the identity of a human environment.

1. The image of the city, by Kevin Lynch (1960)

The first book is The Image of the City by Kevin Lynch (link to google books), a book that explores how people perceive and navigate through urban environments. The book argues that people experience a city not only according to its physical features but also by their mental maps or "images" of the city. By understanding how people perceive an environment, the architect can create more intuitive, human-centered environments.

Paths, edges, districts, nodes, and, of course, landmarks are the elements that contribute to the construction of the city's image. Therefore, landmarks are also a functional element of the city, as they make a place memorable and offer a recognizable element that fixes the image of the local city in the visitor's mind. People tend to use a series of landmarks to create a mental image of their route, which helps them navigate through the city more easily.

2. A pattern language, by Christopher Alexander et al. (1977)

The second suggested book is A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander, Sara Ishikawa and Murray Silverstein of the Center for Environmental Structure of Berkeley, California (link to google books). The book contains a comprehensive set of 253 patterns or design solutions that can be used to create spaces that are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing and emotionally fulfilling. The main takeaway that the episode explores is about how to create environments that promote human well-being, what are the most effective strategies that an architect can follow. Just to mention a few of them, that are significant in this context, we suggest to give a look to:

• Old People Everywhere: this pattern emphasizes the importance of creating public spaces that are accessible and inviting for people of all ages and abilities, including older adults. Today, this is also more relevant as we know that life expectancy is longer than in the past. Landmarks can be beneficial to make these spaces interesting to use.
• Six-Foot Balcony: this pattern describes the importance of creating balconies or other elevated spaces that overlook public spaces and offer opportunities for people to engage with their surroundings. These balconies can be designed to create a sense of privacy while still allowing people to observe and interact with the public space.
• The Welcoming Public Space: this pattern underlines the importance of creating public spaces that are welcoming and inviting for all. Landmarks can be used to create a sense of identity and pride in the community.

3. Life between buildings, by Jan Gehl (1971)

The last suggestion is Life Between Buildings, the famous book by Jan Gehl first published in 1971 (link to google books). This book has been influential in shaping urban design and planning practices and has led to the creation of more pedestrian-friendly, people-oriented public spaces in cities around the world. Talking about landmarks, Gehl argues that they are crucial in creating successful public spaces as they can attract people to a place, provide a focal point for social interaction, and foster a sense of identity and belonging.