Book review by Francesca Boyd
Presenting the challenges of rapid urban development, the book ‘Public Space and the Sustainable Development Goals’ exemplifies how and why public spaces are integrated and developed.
As part of a series focused on the Sustainable Development Goals and how to progress these goals, this book centres on UN SDG 11, Target 7: creating inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and settlements. The editors have assembled an insightful range of perspectives and research approaches to underscore the tangible impact that urban development has on communities and the environment. It presents insights from urban planners, disability advocates, geographers and artists, making it valuable for policy makers and local authorities tackling the diverse fabric of the cityscapes through to those working at the grassroots community action level.
The chapter on Urban Planning and Access by Prosper Issahaku Korah examines the challenges of urban expansion across various countries in Africa and its role in exacerbating existing inequalities in green space distribution and access. The author provides case studies that highlight the impact of urban development at the expense of public spaces, alongside associated cultural, community and health implications. The role of grassroots communication action in response to poor implementation of urban planning is also addressed. For example studies discussed in this chapter cover the identified significant disparities in green space distribution, rooted in a legacy of colonial and Western planning philosophies. These disparities are reflected in the inadequacy of public spaces and the growing inequality in access across neighbourhoods. In response to this injustice, residents in some cities have responded by building their own parks in the absence of government action and transforming areas in examples of citizen-led placemaking. As urban populations continue to grow, the role of co-designed public spaces is pivotal. Such spaces ensure that both formal and informal settlements can include integrated safe green areas that foster social, intergenerational and inclusive cohesion. The chapter further explores opportunities for urban planning regulation, offering recommendations for the monitoring and preservation of green spaces. Later chapters delve into the ‘made and unmade’ role of public spaces with formal and informal economy, transport and cultural activity, as well as how rewilding areas can transform personal connections with landscapes.
The global reach of the different chapters provides interest for a wide range of readers. The opportunities and challenges captured through the authors’ and editors’ experiences in this book demonstrate the transformative power of high quality public open spaces. These spaces have the ability to serve diverse populations, enable progress across multiple Sustainable Development Goals, and change the future evolution of our cities.
The eBook version is priced from £20/$26 from eBook vendors while in print the book can be ordered from the Edward Elgar Publishing website.
