A waltz or a tango? Public spaces in the Global North and South

Public spaces are the living rooms or communal gardens of the city (Figure 1). They are the corridors or intersections of exchange. Yet, they can welcome people or push them away. As cities change across the world, public spaces also change (Figure 2). Yet many wonder about the nature and meaning of these changes. Globally, the United Nations have called for more inclusive, safe and sustainable public spaces. In recent years, planners and designers have started to question the relevance of different planning approaches in different parts of the world. Are Global North theories and practices appropriate for the Global South? What does this mean for the design and management of public spaces?