DESIGN OF URBAN SPACES FOR FULFILLMENT OF BASIC HUMAN NEEDS

Abstract

Right from historic times, urban spaces have been the heart of our cities. Be it the Greek Agora or the Roman Forum, the Renaissance Piazza or the English Square, the urban open space has been the heart and soul of our cities, where everything from commercial to ceremonial to recreational activities took place. It is this space that serves as the socio-cultural melting pot of all our peoples. Urban spaces are used for a wide range of active and passive recreation activities. It is where everybody meets and gets together, or goes shopping or eating out or ceremonial celebrations are held or entertainment or whatever other function the space serves. It provides a backdrop or an URBAN SETTING to human behavior. Since urban spaces are synonymous with the public realm, it follows that their primary purpose is to satisfy the public or the human beings who constitute the public. Thus, human needs become the criteria for which urban spaces need to be designed.....