The contribution of ICT in planning of public open spaces : reflections on the city of Lisbon

Abstract

This paper discusses the importance of open public spaces, and how information and communication technologies (ICTs) can enhance the understanding of the relationship between spaces and their users, towards the production of inclusive and cohesive urban spaces. The analysis is built on the Project CyberParks, which aims to increase the knowledge about this challenging relationship. Through this, we intend to analyse how these digital forms of communication can help planners improve public open spaces, based on the study case of Lisbon. The growth of our cities, throughout history, has always been linked to the public space, and how it was built. Its function was constantly changing, according to the needs that were appearing at different times. However, these transformations were being made with one goal, that of adapting public spaces to their users. What currently occurs is almost an extension of the existing public spaces, by the appearance of enclosed public spaces, for example. And we have some theories that suggest the Internet as a public space. Nowadays, the use of new technologies is becoming a reality. It is already possible to find public places with free Internet access, often providing an attraction for tourists. It is very common to observe individuals who have smartphones and other portable technologies that are constantly connected to the Internet. The discussion will be centred on the contribution that ICTs could have to help plan public open spaces, with the presentation of some examples of experiences made with ICTs on improvements of these public spaces. With the technological growth that we have observed, ICT must be used to both improve the participatory methods, and act as a tool to bring people to be more outdoors and use public spaces.