Use and social interaction in public space: The case of the Sant Cosme Social Housing Development, Barcelona

Abstract

The correlation between the physical characteristics of public space and its use has been well-demonstrated in recent studies which establish that social interactions in a physical space are conditioned by its morphology and consequently influence the feeling of attachment to the place, urban identity, and public life. A large network of human relationships provides greater opportunities to generate more powerful relationships in the community and results in a more proactive and united community. The objective of this article is to verify to what extent urban morphology limits the use and level of social interaction in public space. Using the case of a mass social housing development in the periphery of Barcelona called Sant Cosme, the following were analyzed: 1) the characteristics of its public space and, 2) its level of use and social interaction. To this end, different methods of analysis are used including community interviews and questionnaires, and observation and mapping of the public space. This study demonstrates how the morphology of the housing development and its public space are a factor that hinders the generation of social networks, which constitutes a missed opportunity for the emergence of citizen initiatives able to appropriate the public sphere.