Socioeconomic Diversity in Public Spaces

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dc.contributor.authorJohnson, Bryce Wadeen
dc.contributor.committeechairSkuzinski, Thomas Stefanen
dc.contributor.committeememberDunay, Donna W.en
dc.contributor.committeememberSchenk, Todden
dc.contributor.departmentUrban Affairs and Planningen
dc.date.accessioned2018-06-12T08:01:06Zen
dc.date.available2018-06-12T08:01:06Zen
dc.date.issued2018-06-11en
dc.description.abstractWhile academics and policy-makers seek to address historic segregation and its harmful impacts on communities, many such efforts have been unsuccessful. Therefore, this original research examines the role of public parks as potential sites of social and economic integration. These spaces serve as third places, or social spaces where community members regularly visit, similar to their regular visitation of their home and workplaces. In the City of Roanoke, three visited public parks serve as local third places where individuals of different social and economic backgrounds visit for various activities. However, visitors typically only interact with others similar to themselves. The exception appears to be when the third place provides a source of triangulation based in common interests. This form of triangulation is useful in establishing commonality among visitors, thus bridging existing gaps between communities. Said triangulation is successful when the third place provides a physically and socially comfortable environment affected by the space's design, location, and management. These three factors must combine to maintain a careful balance between welcoming visitors of diverse backgrounds, but also establishing a sense of comfort among visitors. Public spaces which achieve this balance realize their potential by becoming equitable third places.en
dc.description.abstractgeneralThis original research examines the role of public parks as potential sites of social and economic integration. Such sites serve as third places, or social spaces where community members regularly visit. These visits are like the regular visitation of the home and workplaces, which are likewise called the first and second places. In the City of Roanoke, three visited public parks serve as local third places where individuals of different social and economic backgrounds visit for various activities. However, visitors typically only interact with others like themselves. The exception appears to be when the third place provides a feature which stimulates conversation among visitors. The feature can establish commonality among visitors, thus bridging existing gaps between communities. However, these social interactions rely on a third place which provides a physically and socially comfortable environment affected by the space’s design, location, and governance. These three factors must combine to maintain a careful balance between welcoming visitors of diverse backgrounds, but also establishing a sense of comfort among visitors. Public spaces which achieve this balance realize their potential by becoming equitable third places.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Urban and Regional Planningen
dc.format.mediumETDen
dc.identifier.othervt_gsexam:15863en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/83517en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectThird Placeen
dc.subjectPublic Parksen
dc.subjectUrban Designen
dc.subjectSocial Interactionen
dc.subjectUrban Planningen
dc.titleSocioeconomic Diversity in Public Spacesen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplineUrban and Regional Planningen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Urban and Regional Planningen

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