CONTENTS Thesis structure14 People, public space and cities16 Urban voids18 Categories of urban voids19 Basic classification 19 Devising void typology 19 Voids understudy. 20 Theoretical foundation22 First we shape the cities, then they shape us. 23 Present problems of urban design. 23 Life, space and buildings. 24 The social life of small urban spaces.24 Research question.25 Case studies.26 Favela painting project. 26 Under-flyover spaces. . 28 Rebuilding detroit..30 Redesigning streets. 32 Conclusion from case studies.34 Location and context.36 Public life at ashram road.37 Land use38 Voids at ashram road.39 Place performance evaluation.44 Selecting the site.47 Factors considered.47 Challenges .48 Lack of public spaces 48 Lack of public participation 48 Poor design of public spaces 48 Issues . 49 Access and linkages 49 Comfort and image 49 Activities and uses 49 Sociability 49 The toolkit54 What the toolkit achieves?. 54 What is placemaking?. .54 Key principles of placemaking 55 What makes successful public spaces?.56 Placemaking process. 57 Process explained. . 58 Pre-qualification survey 58 Assessing the site..58 Selecting the placemaking site.58 Recognising the key stakeholders. . 58 Analysing the site 59 Making the placemaking plan 59 Intensive public participation. 59 Transforming ideas to concept plan and developing a vision . 59 Summary report and presentation. 60 Applying the placemaking plan 60 Short term activities and actions. . 60 Long term design and management solution. 60 Assessing and replicating. 60 Lighter, quicker, cheaper (lqc) approach. .61 What does lqc mean?. 61 Why a lqc approach? 61 Making it light 62 Seasonal/one off events. 62 Integrating art. 62 Implementing the community driven ideas. 63 Making it quick 63 Small interventions huge impact. 63 Activating and repurposing.64 Making it cheap 64 Securing diverse and creative funding sources. .64 Developing a management structure. .64 Biblography.65