The Public Spaces Listserve is an open forum for people of all backgrounds to discuss the pressing (and sometimes not-so-pressing) issues concerning public spaces. Below are some highlights from recent discussions.

On PROGRAMMING PARKS FOR PEOPLE

I am convinced that the key to functional park planning lies in understanding how people USE spaces. Before anyone comes up with a design, one should have a program and that program should include consideration of management and maintenance. There is no substitute for observation and recording of behavior over time in developing an understanding of space use, because (and I have found this first-hand) what one THINKS are behavior patterns are usually simply hypotheses. They must be stated, phenomena observed, and modified. Unfortunately landscape architecture programs focus very heavily on design and some on maintenance, and very little on programming. Design without programming is like form without function -- pretty and pretty hollow.

- David Habert

On MAKING PARKS A PRIORITY

What about the parks that are wide open spaces, with few shade trees, tables or benches (and the placement of the tables and benches are not in the shade)? In an effort to keep the "riff-raff" from lounging in the parks, and the adolescents from damaging or stealing the amenities, the cities choose to not have any. So the parks go unused - To me, the public should have the BEST that the city/town can provide because the PEOPLE are important. In making decisions for large populations, the mindset seems to be that the people are only numbers to be dealt with. And of course, there is always the bottom line - $$$$$ - which often leads to no quality of the space provided for any activities. I feel that the decision-makers should be thinking creatively, not traditionally.

- Su Keister

On FRANK GEHRY'S RICHARD B. FISHER CENTER AT BARD COLLEGE

I'm sure I appear to be a naysayer, and perhaps an uninformed amateur, but I can't get around the fact that these buildings seem intended not so much to integrate into people's lives, but to simply shock us or surprise is, much the way a giant faux mountain might at an amusement park -- and with all the attendant veritas.

- Ron Dylewski

On PLAYGROUNDS

One strength of playgrounds is that they are public gathering places where parents get to meet and socialize. The playground in our neighborhood is a place where parents get a chance to connect while watching their children play. Children bring adults together. PPS is often talking about triangulation. Playgrounds are great examples of this phenomenon.

- Andy McGowan

Modern playgrounds are not places that inspire creative or social play, but rather are places where boors and bullies flourish. A playground should have places for running and climbing, but also places for quiet, social and interactive play.

- Mark Anderson

On URBAN DESIGN AND CLIMATE CHANGE

It seems that urban design has two choices: design to minimize energy use and climate change now, or design to mitigate the worst effects of climate change in thirty or fifty years time (and does anyone really think that double height and thickness sea walls and levees are going to win many design awards?)

- Chris Church

On WIRELESS INTERNET CONNECTIONS IN PARKS

Do you think this will benefit the people and the parks, e.g. allowing an additional degree of relaxation and recreation, alternatively might it just encourage people to bring stressful activities to the park such as 'staying connected' to their office work?

- John Chamberlain