Creating vibrant public spaces in Sheffield

In the past decade, numerous urban planners and architects have sought to construct public spaces from scratch by applying a suite of urban design theories, strategies, and established disciplinary frameworks. However, these principles are rooted in professional designers perceptions of 'quality spaces, resulting in insufficient attention to local residents actual needs and their understandings of what constitutes a 'vibrant place. Christopher Alexander argues that 'we are better off growing good places and spaces, rather than trying to build them from a blueprint. This implies that high-quality public spaces must align with local contextsincluding local vegetation, the natural environment, and residents preferences. Therefore, the objective of this research is to explore the key elements that contribute to creating vibrant public spaces in Sheffield. By summarising and synthesising these elements, the study further aims to propose evidence-based recommendations for the development of local public spaces. The thesis is structured into three chapters: Chapter One discusses the necessity of public spaces and defines the concept of 'vibrancy; Chapter Two outlines the research model and methodology adopted to address the core research question; Chapter Three identifies key factors contributing to vibrant public spaces in Sheffield through the analysis of four representative sites.