This document defines and discusses the components of urban open spaces. It begins by defining urban open spaces as all types of spaces between buildings in a town, including paths, squares, gardens and parks. It then discusses the importance of urban open spaces in giving form to cities, providing recreation space, and encouraging social interaction. The document outlines different types of urban open spaces such as waterways, parks, green areas, and plazas. It provides details on the components, surroundings and landscapes of parks, greens, playgrounds, plazas and squares. It also discusses the physical components that make up urban open spaces, including walls, floors, roofs, and hardscape and softscape furnishings.

1. Urban Spaces
Definition and
Components

2. Definition of
Urban Open Spaces

3. Urban open spaces are:
All types of spaces between buildings in the town which
include paths- squares- gardens – parks …………. .

7. Importance of
Urban Open Spaces

8. • They give form and shape to the city.

10. • They provide space needed for recreation.

11. • They Create chances for interaction between people.

12. • They Preserve natural beauty .

13. • They provide places for economic activities.

14. Types of
Urban Open Spaces

15. There are many types of open spaces such as:
Water ways
parks
Green areas Playing fieldplayground
plaza square Street

16. Water ways:
include both natural lacks, rivers and streams which represent
rich wildlife habitats and offer recreational value.

17. Water ways:
include manmade lacks and canals that offer recreational value.
They can also be used as movement paths.

18. The Park :
“Is a natural preserved area available for recreation .”

19. The park
The landscape:
• Its landscape shall consist of meadows, waterbodies, woodlands,
and open shelters.
meadows waterbodies open shelterswoodlands

21. The park :
• The Surroundings:
• The park is Surrounded by the city from one side and open to
the natural lands from other sides
CITY Natural lands
• The size:
• The minimum size of
the park is 8 acres

22. The Green
“Is an open space available for recreation”

23. The Green
The landscape:
• its landscape shall consist of lawn and trees
lawn
trees

24. The cityThe city
The Green
The Surroundings:
• The green is Surrounded by the city elements from all sides.

25. • The green can be naturalistically or formally disposed.
• The size:
• The minimum size shall be 0.5 acre and the maximum size shall be 8
acres
Naturalistically disposed formally ordered

26. The Playing fields
Are open space dedicated for playing sports such as football, basket ball, golf courses……
• The size depends upon the type of sport

27. The playground
“Is an open space which is designed and equipped for the children.”

28. The Playground
• The Surroundings:
• The playground should be fenced and located near residential
areas
• Playgrounds may be included within parks and greens
Residential areas

29. The playground
The landscape:
• Its landscape shall consist of lawn, trees, sand and playing equipment.

30. The Plaza
“An open space available for civic purposes and
commercial activities”

31. The Plaza
The Surroundings:
• Is defined by buildings frontages and usually attached to important
building.

32. The plaza
The landscape:
Its landscape shall consist primarily of pavement, Trees are optional
The size:
The minimum size shall be 0.5 acre and the maximum size shall be 2
acres

33. The Square
“Is an open space available for civic purposes”

34. The Square
The Surroundings:
• Is defined by buildings frontages and is located at the
intersections of important thoroughfares.
Buildings frontages

35. The Square
• The landscape:
Its landscape shall consist of, lawns and trees
And shall be formally disposed.
• The size:
The minimum size shall be 0.5 acre and the maximum size shall be
5 acres

36. The streets
“Are the connections between spaces and places , and they are
considered as spaces themselves.”
• Types of streets
There are many types of streets differs in scale, characters, types of
buildings that line them such as main streets or pedestrian paths.

37. Components of
Urban Open Spaces

38. The components of
the space
Human Components
“Uses, behaviors, …”
Physical
components
Walls
Floors
Roof
Furniture

39. WALLS

40. Are the vertical elements which surround the space and give the space its shape.
1. The walls:

41. What are the types of walls?!!

42. Buildings

43. Trees

44. Fences

45. Fences

46. Topography of the land

47. Floors

48. 2. The floors:
The floor of the space is the base on which
all the activities of the space happen.

49. What are the types of floors?!!

50. The floor can be flat or with levels.

52. The floor can be soft or harsh

53. The paving pattern can divide the space into zones
Zone for
pedestrian
Zone for
furniture
Zone for
shopping
Using floor features in design

54. Near beaches paths are paved
with rough pavement to prevent slipping
Using floor features in design

55. In developing a historic area we use the same type of old
pavement to preserve the character of the area
Using floor features in design

56. Roofs

57. 3. The roof :
The structure forming the
upper covering of a
building, space, …..

58. What are the types of roofs?!!

59. Usually the sky is the roof for urban open spaces.

60. Usually the sky is the roof for urban open spaces.

61. Sometimes parts of the space can be covered for specific
purposes, like providing shading, privacy, defining the space

62. Textile

63. Plants

64. Concrete

65. Wooden Pergola

67. 4. Furniture of the space
Hardscape elements softscape elements
Trees and plantsLighting
Seats
Fountains
……

68. Hardscape

69. Lighting :
Lighting has many functions in urban spaces:
• It extends the time of using urban spaces.
• It provides safety and security.

70. It contributes to the beauty of urban spaces

71. It leads the movement to specific directions

72. What are the types of lighting?!!

73. Lighting columns

74. Short Lighting columns

75. Hanged Lighting units

76. Tree grates
Tree grates are the horizontal cover of the planting hole.
They are used to enable water to reach the roots of a tree.
They allow enough ventilation to the soil .
Tree Collar
A vertical element which surround the
stem of the tree to protect it.
It is fixed in the tree grate
The corner of tree collar should be
curved to prevent causing harm for
pedestrians

78. Tree planters and pots
There are Many types of tree planters and are available for both tree and flowers.

79. Signs
They convey messages that are essential to the function and safety of a space.

80. The signs can determine a direction or a speed limit

81. The sign should be clear – specific- and attractive

82. Sculptures
Sculptures and other public arts are important elements in improving the quality of the urban
environment.

89. Sculptures and status can act as landmarks which help in creating a clear urban image.

90. Fountains
Fountains and pools are often the focal elements of a public space.

91. The merge between using sculptures and water
adds a lot to the quality of urban environment

92. The sound of water help in creating the feel of relaxation besides the cooling effect of water .

94. Street Art

98. Bollards
They act as a barrier separating traffic from pedestrian areas .

101. Seating
The type and placement of sitting areas depend upon many factors like
the function of the space, the users… .
But in general setting area should be shaded- the seats should be
comfortable – from durable materials- with attractive shapes…….

105. Shelters
Which are used for waiting public transportation

108. Subway entrances

109. Clocks,
trash container,
and drinking fountains :

110. Softscape

111. Components of the space
4. Furniture of the space
Hardscape elements softscape elements
Trees and plantsLighting
Seats
Fountains
……

112. Trees and Plants
They Play an essential role in urban spaces both functionally and aesthetically

113. They can act as a beautifying elements:

114. They can provide shading

115. They can act as a landmark

116. They can act as walls for the space

117. They can act as a buffer for preventing wind or creating privacy

118. They can act as Barrier to divide the space

119. They can act as a ground cover:

120. They can direct vision

121. They can act as Sculptures

122. Sculpture, seat and shed
Finally, We can merge between more than one element of space furniture
to make variable functions.

124. THANK YOU 