Micro Public Place - as a design method to improve the vitality and usage quality of the Narinkka Square in the process of urban renewal and transitions

Abstract

The Narinkka Square, located in the heart of Helsinki, mainly has two roles: the transition space and meeting place in front of the public transportation hub and the Kamppi Center; the perfect site for different public events. However, the Narinkka Square lacks identity when there is no event. Moreover, it has a significant potential to become a cozy square for daily use. In order to satisfy the demands of the two main characters better and at the same time improve the vitality and the usage quality in the process of urban renewal and transitions, Micro Public Place as one of the leading design ideas is proposed in the thesis.

Based on the case study and literature reviews of similar design ideas (the “micro public space” and Tactical Urbanism), this thesis elaborates the definition of the Micro Public Place. Moreover, the categories and application models of the Micro Public Place units are enumerated by the approach of typology. In addition to the general design methods, the design proposals based on the Micro Public Place are also presented in the thesis.