Session 1: Why Public Space Matters

Synopsis:
Parks, trails, streetscapes and other public spaces – we know we love them, but why? Beyond being places for day-to-day enjoyment, great public spaces are a critical piece of great cities because they are the vehicles through which a city’s public identity is created, acted out, and preserved. Without spaces like Barton Springs, Lady Bird Lake, Zilker Park, South Congress, would Austin have ever become the creative, outdoor city that it is known as today? Recognizing this identity-forming nature of public space is elemental to any discussion of planning public spaces, because, in shaping public space, a city is shaping its identity for the future. The collection of speakers on this panel offer different perspectives on how public space preserves
and inspires the public life that defines the identity of a community and a city.

Earl Broussard Founder and President, TBG Partners
What makes places special is when they become sacred or ritualistic to us as a people. Any space can become sacred to a group of people; even football fields. This opening presentation explained what true public space is and introduced several new ideas into the typical public space conversation.

Megan Turner, Coordinator City of Austin Art in Public Places Program
Public art as a catalyst for community engagement and innovative uses of public space. The unpredictability is what contributes to the experience people have in public places. Turner explains about how art is contributing to the public space experience in Austin.
More Information: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/aipp/

Alex Gilliam Director, PublicWorks
Gilliam discusses ways to make cities and public spaces children and family friendly. Here are his emerging tactics in great public spaces for children and family:
1) Strengthen cities by building play spaces (for everyone -- not just children and the elderly)
2) Make things messy!
3) Permanent is good, but temporary might be better!
4) Play a game
5) Children and children should be architects and designers of 21st centry Austin.

Chris Riley, Austin City Council Member
Austin has several successful and up-coming public spaces. These include Woolridge Square Park, The Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge, and many more. Riley discusses Woolridge Square Park's history and recent centennial.

Moderator: Greg Esparza, Green Doors

Big Ideas:
- New public spaces should not only try to keep Austin weird, but make it weirder.
- Good public spaces become sacred; poor ones become irrelevant or cliche.
- Public spaces should reflect on the communities they are a part of


Places:
-University of Texas Alumni Center; Austin, TX
-Auction Oaks
-Hey Cupcake!; Austin, TX
-Sheffield, England
-Woonwerf (Netherlands) - Former streets where automobiles are now subservient to pedestrians and play.
- Various Art in Public Places projects in the City of Austin and across the country.