Public Spaces (Version 2)

Despite this significance, the potential of public-space assets to transform cities and improve urban life is often overlooked. | Globally, about one-third of a city's land area is covered by public spaces. | In contrast, the cities that invest in the creation of connected, inclusive public spaces and places buck this trend and fare much better. | They leverage public-space assets to create value for the surrounding area, supporting livelihoods and promoting local businesses. | The resulting degradation of public spaces into congested, vehicle-dominated, and polluted places often becomes a liability, exacerbating various city problems.