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A.Mazroua 1, D.Cherfaoui 2
1 Polytechnique school of architecture and urban planning- EPAU, Algiers, Algeria.
2 Associate Professor, Institute of Architecture and Urbanism, University of Blida 1, Blida, Algeria
Abstract. Public spaces are vital for social interaction and urban quality of life. Their success is linked to their "quality of use," a holistic concept ensuring the environment meets users' needs. However, the user's perspective is often overlooked, and public spaces are developed and planned based on the opinions of designers, planners, and space managers. Using Algiers as a case study, this research investigates quality of use based on users’ experiences and perceptions. Through a survey of 102 users, the research offers actionable recommendations for planners and designers to create more successful and responsive public spaces that are truly shaped by the needs of their users.
Key words: Public spaces, Quality of use, Algiers, users need.
Introduction
Public spaces are vital for social interaction and urban quality of life. Their success, however, is often measured by design standards rather than user experience. The concept of "quality of use" shifts this focus to how well a space facilitates activities and meets user needs [1, 2]. While theorists like Gehl [3] categorize these activities as necessary, optional, and social, the specific criteria that constitute quality from a user's perspective, particularly in specific cultural contexts like North Africa, remain underexplored. This study addresses this gap by asking: What constitutes "quality of use" from the perspective of users in Algiers?
Methodology
This exploratory research uses the city of Algiers as a case study. To capture the user's perspective, a survey comprising 18 open-ended and direct questions, structured into three parts: - Demographic characteristics of the users.
- Identification of the most and least appreciated public spaces and the reasons behind these judgments.
- Analysis of usage patterns, motivations for visits, and frequency of use.
The qualitative data was analyzed to identify recurring themes and criteria that define quality from the user's perspective.
Results and Discussion
The 102 collected responses revealed a consistent and user-defined framework for what constitutes quality of use. The mentioned spaces by users represent two sides of the same coin. On one hand, appreciated spaces are described as Safe, Clean, Well-Maintained, and with Good Layout and Design. They are also Accessible and Comfortable. On the flip side, spaces are deemed low-quality for the opposite reasons: Insecurity, a Lack of Hygiene, Inappropriate Layout, and being Inaccessible.
The study also found that "Quality of Use" is dynamic. It is shaped by the mix of activities (necessary, optional, social) and changes over time, from day to night or weekday to weekend. Additionally, a digital layer now influences use, with social media driving new patterns of discovery and creating temporary user flows that reshape spaces.
Conclusion
This study concludes that in Algiers, quality is not static but a contextual, user-defined, and dynamic experience. It is built on concepts such as safety, accessibility and comfort. This means a successful public space is not just designed and finished; it is curated through an ongoing dialogue between its physical aspects and the social life it hosts.
Bibliography- Carr S., Francis M., Rivlin L.G., Stone A.M. Public Space. Cambridge University Press, 1992.
- Mehta V. The Street: A Quintessential Social Public Space. Routledge, 2013.
- Gehl J. Life Between Buildings: Using Public Space. Island Press, 2011.
- Whyte W.H. The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces. Project for Public Spaces, 1980.
- Sennett R. The Fall of Public Man. Alfred A. Knopf, 1977.
- Zamanifard H., et al. Measuring experiential qualities of urban public spaces: users' perspective. Journal of Urban Design, 2018.
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