Public spaces as the factor of urban identity, case study of Bratislava

Book of proceedings: Annual AESOP Congress, Definite Space – Fuzzy Responsibility, Prague, 13-16th July, 2015Appertain to the place has several dimensions – identification with the state, region, area, city (town), village, district, neighbourhood. Character of the place defines the urban fabric, the urban space, its importance, location, history, economical prosperity and, naturally, people, their memory, manners, experiences, actions and nature. The basic elements of identification with a place can be stable, either with long period fixed character, or they can be changing with the dynamic evolution. Also our sensibility is changing according to the character of the place, its elements during the evolution. There are periods, when we are less sensitive to the value of the environment; even arrogant. Sometimes we are calculative when the commercial effect from otherness is more important for us than human or spiritual aspect. Urban resident and occupant identifies himself with the city and urban environment via arrangement of spaces. Identification with urban space and its characteristic elements is linked to good orientation, accessibility, functions, activities, people... Also details of public spaces create memorable places. The paper is focused on evaluation of public spaces in Bratislava with the emphasis on squares in the central city area. The study is aimed at problems and potential of the squares. Based on the complex research, a strategy and concept of squares development and transformation in the scale of the whole area is presented. The concept is consists of prioritization and differentiation of spaces, which should support their identity and good legibility. Study presents applied research supported by city council of Bratislava.Published Versio