Principles for the evaluation of the public space: A methodological proposal

Abstract

This article develops a theoretical synthesis and a methodological proposal for the evaluation of public spaces. The proposal is to make urban design contemporary principles operational and to measure them with indicators. The work has a theoretical correspondence with Jan Gehl, Jane Jacobs, and Oscar Newman, among others, and establishes a diversity of research techniques that are put to test in the framework of two urban parks, namely: Los Angeles Park in the central canton of Heredia and Tibás Park in San José. The study is thought as an input to assess the quality of the city’s public spaces.