The Role of Collective Memory in Shaping Public Squares; the Case of Republic Square, Male’ City

Abstract

It is a seeming paradox that the balance between society and built environment has a constant change as we evolve repeatedly, and our collective identity mean to facilitate new public spaces to boost our public life, as well re-shaping existing spaces. The public spaces we design directly or indirectly influence to our behavior, experiences and social interactions which in turn reflect how we respond to our built environment. Even though urban designing and planning paly wider role of this evolving procedure, sometimes some proposed design does not respond to the vital role of public spaces and unknowingly break the relationship between man and his environment by incorporating some ambiguous attributes. This research aims to study the relationship between collective memory and public squares and the influence of public collective memory to shape and re-shape, to revitalize and utilize today’s public squares. The qualitative and quantitative data to answer the research questions were gathered by conducting user survey, visual documentation and interviewing with community focus group. The study is conducted through a close examination of the Republic Square of Male’ city, which was once prevailed with a strong sense of community, though today it is seen as an isolated piece of public realm. By combining the theoretical background with qualitative research and quantitative methods, the paper aims to provide a better understanding on the underlying issues and possible solutions. Findings indicate that the success of the public squares is based on the experiences and rationalities of the urban past as evidenced by the historical continuity which characterizes the relationship between collective memory of its people and the public spaces.