ABSTRACT
This chapter defines urban open space. It focuses on the wide range of open spaces which are outdoors, some of which may be either public or privately owned. In earlier research it has been suggested that, from the perspective of end users rather than planners, these open spaces can further be classified as being domestic, neighborhood or civic. These three categories encompass a variety of different open spaces, both public and private. Domestic open spaces that children might use include gardens and areas in which housing is located. Active play is particularly important with respect to the health agenda for children in England because it is an important type of physical activity for children. One specific group, predominantly young males, who are often excluded by society from particular civic spaces, is skateboarders. Skateboarders often choose to use civic open spaces in city centers which are usually surrounded by commercial, retail or government buildings.
