10 UCLG PUBLIC SPACE POLICY FRAMEWORK
and mobility (street for public transportation, soft mobility and all transportation modes). Public space is the main prerequisite to develop and manage cities from very few proportions in rural areas to about 40 to 50% of the land (e.g. Manhattan or Paris) in dense urban areas. It is a crucial condition for city mobility and attractiveness (quality of life is a key asset) then the economic development. Local governments have a responsibility to promote the use of public spaces in an equitable way by finding the right balance between regulation and deregulation of the use of public spaces. The rules around the uses and activities on public spaces should be given particular attention to avoid negative impact on the urban life and how they might impact on vulnerable groups such as street vendors. This may require
differentiated strategies neighborhood level.
at
citywide
Legal frameworks and declarations of fundamental rights often neglect public spaces, given frequently higher consideration to individual land ownership rights, despite the priority that should be done to public space for collective interests. Through this framework, UCLG would urge local governments to use this opportunity to promote and advocate for the recognition of public space as a basic local service, and as an essential part of the Right to the City for all urban residents, like water and sanitation and therefore deserve appropriate operational and capital budgets. The entire public realm has to be protected by local governments and the communities, as blue, green and grey grids are the cities’ backbone. Local governments must ensure that there is an adequate quantity and distribution of quality public space.
PUBLIC SPACE the role of local governments
Funder
regulator Promote and regulate public private partnership
Fund for operation and maintenance
Fund for implementation and synchronize the efforts to achieve the SDGs
Implementer
Develop policies on public space Defend public space Balance competing interests
Partner with communities
Local Governments Design, develop & implement
and
Avoid speculation of public spaces and collaborate with other spheres of government
Learning and awareness on public space
Promote the need for inclusive, safe and quality public spaces
facilitator