Public Open Spaces: connecting people, squares and streets by measuring the usability through the Villanova district in Cagliari, Italy

Growing spatial and social injustice, vulnerability to environmental hazards, and the Covid-19 pandemic have underlined the need of a radical re-conceptualization and transformation of Public Open Spaces (POSs). Within this perspective, the usability of the public space emerges as a fundamental condition that influences the individuals’ well-being by affecting central human capabilities, including bodily health and integrity, control over the environment, and attachment to people, objects, and places. Usability is herein defined as the potential of spaces to expand human capabilities by supporting autonomy, active mobility and utilitarian, leisure and social activities. Consequently, with a combination of space syntax and spatial analysis techniques, this study structures an analytical method to identify central spaces for pedestrian activity, assess their usability and underline major criticalities. The analytical method encompasses a set of quantitative indicators related to both intrinsic geometric, functional, social attributes and to configurational extrinsic properties of spaces. The case study concerns public spaces within the historical district of Villanova, Cagliari, Italy. The case study analysis will underline that the integration of space syntax techniques and spatial analysis methods is instrumental to the comprehensive understanding of intrinsic and extrinsic spatial attributes affecting patterns of outdoor activities, and to the identification of intervention priorities with regards to the redevelopment and regeneration of public spaces. Consequently, this study represents a valid contribution to the topic of Active mobility and urban redevelopment, in the urban planning session of the conference. In conclusion, the study underlines the relevance of the proposed analytical method as a framework supporting data-informed design solutions and smart decisions within a planning perspective centred on strengthening inclusion and equality of the urban realm.