New public spaces in Adelaide

Mapping the contemporary city presupposes new approach in order to analyse and design more and more complex urban scenes. In this respect, new ways of mapping the city have arisen, with the main purpose of identifying the urban dynamicity using direct observation or ad hoc electronic devices. Among the new approach to the interpretation of public space in particular, the people oriented created by Jan Gehl is capable to identify people behaviours in connection with the urban environment (Appleyard, 1981, Carmona et al, 2010; Jacobs, 1961; Sepe, 2013, 2014). As regards, the paper is aimed both at illustrating this approach and the emblematic case study of Adelaide (South Australia) carried out by Gehl Architects. The intention of the project is to emphasize "intrinsic characteristics" of the place in object and create happier and more liveable public spaces. The paper is organized as follows: the first part is devoted to the explanation of the people-oriented approach; the second part shows the place's description; in the third part problems and guidelines are outlined to be solved through design recommendations; finally the factors that contribute to liveability and urban happiness conclude the work. The purpose of this work is to understand how the project objectives can contribute to specify the factors able to cause urban happiness. The case study was conducted by Gehl in 2002. In 2011 the study area was expanded and the results achieved in the first instance were assessed. Planning proposes realized up to now had a positive relapse on the quality of life in Adelaide.