- Sustainable Networks of Public Spaces    click here to open paper content1861 kb
by    Malcata Rebelo, Emília | emalcata@fe.up.pt   click here to send an email to the auther(s) of this paper
Short Outline
The paper develops a methodology for the planning of public spaces targeted to immigrants. Some of their characteristics are crossed with morphologic/typologic characteristics of space. Its goal is to qualify residential public spaces for immigrants.
Abstract
Considering the increasing importance of immigrants for demographic and socioeconomic sustainability of countries and regions, this article aims at developing a methodology for the planning of public spaces, especially targeted to immigrants. It considers their specific demographic and socio-economic characteristics, their needs and expectations. This study is applied, as a case study, to the Oporto city (Portugal).
The public spaces, where individuals interact, expose them to different types of conflicts, namely lack of safety, discomfort, and social exclusion. Thus, in the first part of the article, statistical data is collected and treated in order to identify the residential locations of immigrants in the studied territory. These locations, as well as density of land use, are cartographically displayed.
Then an analysis is pursued, that relates spatial building densities with immigrants´ characteristics, in order to identify trends and problems. It consists in the definition of a typology for immigrants’ location, where some characteristics of immigrants (country of origin, economic activity, profession) are crossed with the places of residence (in the city core, historical centre, or in certain planning areas, according to their morphologic and typologic characteristics).
Considering the increasing urban requirement on low carbon levels, a plan for public space provision is finally proposed. It stresses the need to qualify residential public spaces so that they can receive immigrants properly, according to their characteristics and needs. It is hoped this proposal promotes higher sociability, mutual help and leisure levels in more sustainable outdoor places.
Keywords
public spaces; integration of immigrants; sustainability
Case Study presented on the ISOCARP Congress 2011: LIVEABLE CITIES: URBANISING WORLD, Meeting the Challenge
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