Urban void as a public space : a study on under-utilized urban voids and their potential as urban public spaces

Abstract

Urban life is fast becoming dull and uninteresting due to the decreasing facilities and degrading of the environment, devoid of spaces for sociocultural activities. The increasing cost of land and the need to exploit economically, has rented the usable space is only as "rentable space". What is however noted is that there are numerable 'Urban Voids' in between buildings and at street corners and so forth which are left over spaces. At present they are simply using for garbage dumping and antisocial activities. The potential of such 'Urban Voids' can be defined as follows, "Unutilized, under-utilized or abandoned land or areas and premises which exist in urban areas due to outdated of defunct uses"(Perera, 1994: p.130) Urban Voids can even be created by identifying dilapidated premises which has potential to re develop for new urban function. "This type of 'Urban Void' may be created in urban spaces as lost spaces. These 'Urban Voids' existing in urban areas are projects as possible opportunity to create urban public spaces in this study.These Urban Voids can be exploited as urban public space such as surrounded public gathering place with pockets of activity, partly enclosed areas at the edges, which just forward, into open spaces between path, edge of water front, or canal banks, contains activities which make it natural for people to pause and get involved. It is argued that, these spaces have the ability to enhance and strengthen the public realm.