Chapter 5- URBAN DIMENSIONS engagement are also provided by fountains, views, public art, performances, and so forth. ACTIVE ENGAGEMENTActive engagement involves a more direct experience with a place and the people within it. people find sufficient satisfaction in people-watching, others desire more direct contact, whether with friends, family or strangers. Although urban designers may imagine otherwise, the simple proximity of people does not mean spontaneous interaction. public spaces were 'not ideal places' for 'striking up acquaintances', and that, even in the most sociable of them, there was 'not much mingling'. The coincidence of people in space and time does, nevertheless, provide opportunities for contact and social interaction. In his discussion of how the design of public Street entertainment can enhance the animation and vitality of public spaces alone and being together' and suggests a scale of 'intensity of contact' ranging from 'close friendships' to 'friends', 'acquaintances', 'chance contacts' and ·'passive contacts'. If activity in the spaces between buildings is missing, then the lower end of this contact scale also disappears: 'The boundaries between isolation and contact become sharper. Public art helps the process of triangulation in public space, particular interest with regard to how people use public spaces. such spaces appeared little used, apparently failing to justify the extra Floorscape given to developers as part of the city's incentive zoning regulations. When a place was crowded, people sat where they could rather than where they most wanted to. Later, some parts emptied while others continued to be used. He also found that most spaces contained well-defined sub places - often around the edge - where people preferred to be, and arranged to meet. the most sociable spaces usually possessed the following features: A good location, preferably on a busy route and both physically and visually accessible. Streets being part of the 'social' space - fencing off a space from the street isolated it and reduced its use. URBANISM ALONG THE BRIDGE
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