A critical definition of the concept of public space

What do we mean when we talk about public space? We asked some privileged testimonials during the research programme of relevant national interest (PRIN 2009) titled: “Public spaces, mobile populations and processes of urban reorganisation”. Among the questions in the in-depth interview on relations between urban populations and public space, we asked for a definition of public space and the identification of some significant spaces in the city of Turin, in the City Centre and the San Salvario district and the quarter of Barriera di Milano closer the outskirts of the city. The definition of the concept of “public space” highlighted certain significant aspects. One of these concerns a sort of standardisation among the various affirmations, that identify public space as an, albeit, weak space for socialisation, to which certain thoughts on the role of commerce and new media are linked. Another emerging and opposing aspect emphasizes a clear difference between the different views, which depends largely on the professional and cultural experiences of each interlocutor. In summary are recognized some different approaches: public space as a relational space, “cappuccino” space, weak sociality space, new relational spaces and a new type of public space: the “District Houses”. Photos of Turin public spaces and interview passages are reported.