“Introduction,” “Preface: The Current State of Everyday Urbanism,” and “Blurring the Boundaries: Public Space and Private Life”

The idea that cities are social entities that must be responsive to local concerns and daily life has been central to user-based urban design theory since the 1960s. In the 1990s, this idea coalesced into a theoretical and practical stance known as Everyday Urbanism which valorizes the spontaneous, un-pedigreed, un-self-conscious vernacular design of everyday urban settings and contends that the public and domestic life that centers on these spaces, particularly that of poorer and more marginal members of the community, is rich with complex meaning and substance. Everyday Urbanism theory cautions designers to not apply design assumptions based on high design style or elite spatial form precedents to their work in cities, especially lower-income areas. Rather, design proposals should be informed by an understanding and appreciation of everyday activities, which provide a vital link to real community issues.