Increasing the public space ratio (PSR) using G.I.S.

Abstract

The urban redesign methodology proposed in this paper aims at increasing the public space ratio (PSR) and balancing public space allocation in a given city. Using GIS and spatial analysis tools, appropriate areas for redesign have been located. The methodology aims at projects that can be executed quickly with low public cost and for this reason focuses exclusively on the development of existing roads with exceptionally low traffic loads and their conversion into green pedestrian areas. A case study which implements the methodology in the city of Patras, Greece, demonstrates the lack of free public space in the city (PSR index = 1.5), the extremely large inequality between different zones in the city (up to 6.4 times) and the strong statistical correlation between public space and the value of land in each zone. The proposed urban interventions significantly reduce the inequality of public space allocation in the city (from 6.6 to 3) while public space in the critical zones increases up to 115%.