Explaining the concept of urban public spaces with a culture-based approach: A systematic review and qualitative meta-analysis

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. Candidate in Islamic Urban Planning, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran

2 Professor, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

The present study aims to conceptualize urban public spaces based on a culture-based approach using a qualitative systematic review and meta-analysis. Using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework, this research identifies and analyzes 1174 international scientific articles published between 2014 and 2024, of which 40 articles were ultimately selected for in-depth review after careful screening and qualitative assessment. The findings show that public space is more than a physical environment; it is a multidimensional social structure that encompasses cultural, political, and economic meanings, and simultaneously serves as a platform for civic participation, a medium for cultural representation, and an arena for urban governance. The synthesis of selected studies shows that culture acts as a central organizing principle of public space at three interrelated levels: conceptually, culture defines and gives meaning to the idea of publicness; causally, it shapes the social and political processes that occur in spaces; and strategically, it influences design practices, policy formation, and the assessment of spatial quality. By integrating these perspectives, this study provides a three-level analytical framework for understanding the complex relationship between culture and urban public space, thereby addressing a major gap in the fragmented body of existing literature. This review shows that over the past decade, research on the cultural dimensions of public space has expanded significantly, particularly since 2020, reflecting an increasing academic recognition of culture as a key determinant of spatial experience. The geographical distribution of studies is dominated by the United States, followed by China, Spain, and the United Kingdom, reflecting a Western-centric focus and, at the same time, a growing interest in cross-cultural comparisons. In terms of methodology, the majority of studies (75%) use qualitative designs, while only 10% are quantitative and 15%  use mixed-method, indicating the dominance of interpretive models and the clear need for complementary empirical measurement tools. From a disciplinary perspective, most research comes from the fields of urban design and planning, although valuable contributions also come from sociology, geography, cultural studies, and political science, highlighting the inherently interdisciplinary nature of the subject.
This meta-analysis categorizes the reviewed works into three thematic categories that align with Norman Blakey’s distinction between the “what,” “why,” and “how” questions: descriptive studies examine what public spaces are and how they are defined in different cultures; explanatory studies examine why spatial behavior and civic life are shaped by cultural contexts; and practical studies examine how cultural values are incorporated into the design and management of urban environments. Combining these categories, the results show that public spaces act as both mirrors and agents of culture: they reflect social norms, beliefs, and identities while simultaneously shaping new patterns of interaction and collective meaning. Conceptually, public spaces act as sites for negotiation between individual and collective expression of identity, providing a window through which relations of power, inclusion, and belonging are revealed. Causally, they act as social infrastructures that foster cohesion, civic participation, and cultural continuity, making them vital to community resilience and democratic life. Strategically, they are tangible arenas for implementing culturally sensitive designs and policy frameworks that address diversity, equity, and sustainability in urban contexts. The reviewed literature also suggests that culturally responsive public space design can enhance social interaction, well-being, and urban livability. However, despite theoretical advances, significant research gaps remain, including the lack of standardized criteria for assessing cultural quality in spatial contexts, the paucity of cross-cultural comparative analyses, and the limited integration of emerging technologies such as GIS-based data analysis and digital ethnography to assess users' spatial experiences.
This study emphasizes that adopting a culture-based approach to public space, by incorporating cultural intelligence into spatial planning and design, contributes to more holistic urban management. The findings collectively suggest that culture and space are mutually constructive: culture provides the interpretive framework through which people understand and inhabit spaces, while public spaces act as spatial intermediaries through which culture is reproduced, discussed, and transformed. This interrelationship emphasizes the need for planners and policymakers to view public spaces not as static physical entities, but as dynamic socio-cultural ecosystems that mediate interactions between different urban groups. The proposed framework therefore positions culture as a fundamental dimension of spatial theory and practice – grounding conceptual definitions of public space, causally linking cultural dynamics to social outcomes, and guiding strategic interventions aimed at spatial inclusion and quality of life. As a result, this meta-analysis not only integrates the scattered research on the cultural basis of urban public spaces but also provides a unified conceptual model that links theory, method, and application. It redefines urban public space as a living, culture-driven system that fosters civic engagement, sustains collective identity, and enhances social resilience. By shifting the framework of culture from a subsidiary variable to a central analytical lens, this study advances both theoretical understanding and practical strategies for designing and managing culturally meaningful public spaces. Ultimately, it argues that in contemporary urban conditions—characterized by globalization, diversity, and technological transformation—culture is not merely a contextual factor but the essential essence through which the publicness of space is created, experienced, and maintained.

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References

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Journal of Architecture and Urban Planning
Volume 18, Issue 49
January 2026
Pages 153-176

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