The impact modern urban spaces and their design have on the city residents.

Abstract

This research paper examines the impact of a city and its design on the life of a metropolitan resident. The work identified that urban environment and design consist of sociological, physical as well as socio-physical elements and the research focuses on open public spaces. These accordingly, have a major impact on the norms, standards, individualism, social life, cognition and mental health, and sustainability of a city. This study asked how and why these areas became shaped by urban design, and tries to find the answer in both infrastructural and sociological changes that took place in the formation of what we call a modern city. The examination reached out to the beginnings of the 19th Century urban plans and found its references, as well as continuations in 20th and 21st Century. Furthermore, built upon the work of great urbanists and sociologists, namely Richard Sennet, Walter Benjamin, Jane Jacobs and other urban academics, the research gathered the crosssection of remarks in this field of enquiry. Such cause and effect insight enabled the logical recognition of how and why metropolis shapes the urbanites’ behaviour and daily life. This in turn provides a background to understand city residents better and thus, improve the design of urban spaces in the future. The study also triggers a reflection on a personal relationship with the city, and the way this relationship shapes who we are.