NYC Public Space Classifications

After studying the public spaces of New York City, I developed this system of six categories to record and analyze Midtown's existing network of public spaces and privately owned public spaces (POPS).

Public space is not just black or white.

The labels 'public space' and 'private space' do not effectively define all types urban space, so I added a third label in my research called 'collective space.' Collective spaces can host the same social and cultural activities that public spaces do, but at a price. These spaces subject people to additional rules, advertisements, or financial barriers.

The spectrum of public spaces

To better understand existing public spaces, this classification system sorts them into six categories. These categories are built on the basis of enclosure, but additional charactaristics are added to each, making this particular version specific to Midtown, Manhattan.

The Network of Public Space in Manhattan