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• Functional: A public space should be easy to use. For example, people need shaded areas to sit, clean
and strong benches, drinking water points, ramps for wheelchairs, and proper lighting at night. These
make the space useful for daily activities.

• Safe and Clean: People should feel safe and the place should be clean. This means adding dustbins,
bright lights, clear walkways, and signs for safety. A well-lit, clean space feels inviting and encourages
more people to use it.

• Engaging: A good public space gives people a reason to stay and enjoy. This could include things like
art walls, small performance stages, play areas for children, or musical corners. These features make the
space fun and meaningful for all age groups.
Example: A well-designed park with shaded benches, swings, clear signs, clean paths, and space for
street plays is not just a place to walk—it becomes a place where people meet, relax, and connect.

Understanding Users: Stakeholder Mapping
Before designing or improving a public space, it’s important to understand who will use the space and what
they need from it. This process is called stakeholder mapping.
A stakeholder is anyone who is affected by or benefits from the space. Mapping their needs helps us design
solutions that work for everyone and avoid problems later.
Example: Redesigning a Bus Stop
Let’s say you want to redesign a bus stop. You should think about all the different people who use or are
affected by that space:
• Commuters – They want shelter from sun/rain, seating, and clear signs to know bus timings and routes.

• Street Vendors – They want a small space to sell their goods like snacks or newspapers, without blocking
the path for others.

• Local Residents – They want the area to be clean, peaceful, and not overcrowded or noisy.
• Authorities – They want the space to be easy to manage, maintain, and keep safe with proper rules and
structure.
By identifying all the users and their needs, you can design a bus stop that:

• Has proper seating and shelter for commuters,
• Designates vending corners for street sellers,
• Keeps walkways clean for residents, and
• Uses dustbins, lighting, and signs for better maintenance.

Good stakeholder mapping = Better, fairer design for all.

By mapping these users and their needs, a better design can be created.

Design for Public Spaces
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