Urban Planning and Social Media Connection With Public Space Users Survey

Urban Planning and Social Media Connection With Public Space Users

PARTICIPANT INFORMATION for QUT RESEARCH PROJECT

Understanding the implications of Networked Social Interactions for the
Design of Public Suburban Spaces

Research Team Contacts
Kirralie Houghton - PhD Candidate
Urban Informatics
Creative Industries Faculty
Phone: 0425 257648 Phone: 07 313 88772
Email: Kirralie.Houghton@qut.edu.au

Description
This project is being undertaken as part of PhD project for Kirralie Houghton.

The purpose of this project is to explore how people use public places as social places or third places and if new technology and media might change how people use and experience ‘third’ places. To consider how new media and new technologies can be utilized by planners and urban designers. The key questions to be considered are:

• What is the urban planner’s role in designing third places, specifically what new processes and tools will they need to develop urban spaces to meet the rapidly changing nature of public behaviour and social interaction in this mobile, real-time, and ubiquitous computing age?
• To critically examine the question of whether their needs to be a responsive change to physical place to meet the needs of a connected and ubiquitous computing age?
• How can new media be utilized by planners and designers to enhance the experience of place?
The research team requests your assistance because you have been identified as a professional working within the urban design or planning field.

Participation
Your participation in this project is voluntary. By filling in this survey you are agreeing to participate. All responses are anonymous. Your decision to participate will in no way impact upon your current or future relationship with QUT.

What are your three key aims when designing, planning or assessing a development of public space? Accessibilty Shade Seating Aesthetics of Design Functionality Flexibility	Cost Addressing Client Needs Useability Uniqueness Balance Materials	Texture Lighting Landscaping Cultural Relevance Historic preservation Building Character
Other (please specify)

What user generated information could be useful for designers/planners of public places? Number of visits Favourite elements and features Journey information (how people arrive) Difficulties in use Difficulties in navigation Condition of place	Uses for furniture and features User experiences User frustrations Number of locals vs visitors Duration of stay Reason for visiting
Other (please specify)

If you could provide the users of public spaces with additional information about those spaces what would it include? Historic events Former landuses Navigation detail Number of users Energy consumption Upcoming events	Project planning detail Native flora and fauna Council details Development applications Details of plans (including elevations
Other (please specify)

What are the key barriers to public involvement or engagement in planning matters? Technical Language The Public is disinterested Generally people are too busy Most people doesn't understand issues Most people don't care about the issues People expect professionals to deal with those issues Legislation	Government policies and proceedures Cost Time constraints of projects The public enjoy getting involve There is too much public involvement already Public involvement is not necessary for good design
Other (please specify)

In your experience what are the main barriers or inhibitors of good design? (multiple answers ok) Cost Skill Developers minimising costs Lack of community involvement Bad Taste	Political interference Legislative confinement Form does not allow for function I don't know
Other (please specify)