Downtown Boston : a public place

Abstract

This thesis explores the physical and experiential qualities of public space in downtown Boston. Streets are the dominant element of urban public space; other elements include plazas , squares, promenades, alleys and parks. Together they form an interwoven public network giving the city its basic physical structure and the context for its built environment . The complexity of public space is not well understood by designers, developers, city administrators or sociologists ; and as a result it is generally dealt with in a piecemeal fashion which is reflected in the built environment of the city. The intent of this thesis is to explore this complexity, as reflected in the built environment, in order to more fully understand its many dimensions, existing problems and potentials .