ABSTRACT
What makes some places especially exciting and memorable? Why do particular public spaces beckon and feel comfortable while others discourage people from spending time or stopping? A big part of the answer relates to a dynamic urban life where people are engaged in diverse activities. Simply put, people want to be around other people. Residents and visitors alike enjoy having reasons to come out. A temporary art installation or mural can make a familiar street seem vibrant and interesting, and give passersby a reason to pause. Regular farmers’ markets, public art, and special events such as festivals and outdoor music series can be regular meeting places that attract people to a city’s public spaces. They can also bring new customers to local businesses. Public life is created by people, and the most engaging urban life comes about because people are out and about, using the city and its public spaces. Creating the conditions where daily public life flourishes, therefore, is an important component of urban revitalization.
