Dr Mona Helmy

Assistant Professor Dar Al-Hekma College   

Title of presentation :City Identity follows Creative Public Space

Creating or maintaining a unique City Identity is a very challenging issue specially nowadays; under the influence of many globalization trends such as city-marketing, cultural industries, place destinations, and urban regeneration projects. The new landscape of contemporary cities has witnessed new ways to respond to more distinct identities, unique character and matchless image. Making a public space “ Cr eat ive” is a sig nif icant  approach f or developing  cit ies within a wider development process, encompassing remaking city identity and image building. Conceptually, Creative Public Space is making use of/or create an environment to fit creative needs such as manifestation of culture and knowledge in a planned manner, or conducive to creative thinking and living. However, a question will be always raised on what makes a public space creative?  Is it the physical space that is designed to spark creativity? Is it the space genius loci?  Or the activities and events which are happening within it? In this context, it is argued that Creative Public Space can build a highly successful city identity that places a high value on new ways of both seeing and doing things. This requires a set of assumptions on which to develop policies, strategies and plans.   This Presentation attempts to introduce the concepts of creative public space as mean to develop city identity in a variety of creative public spaces strategies.  It is expected that the introduction of this concept will be of essential means to build distinct city image and identity