The Inhabited Landscape: Public Space Formed by Urban Topography

Abstract

As contemporary cities increasingly prioritize single-purpose privatized public spaces, opportunities for genuine community interaction are disappearing. These privatized spaces restrict access to areas that should belong to everyone, leaving residents disconnected and widening the divide between public and private realms. With urban pressures and a housing crisis in Halifax, the Halifax Wanderers Grounds — a site characterized by disconnected spaces — serve as the focal point for transformation. This thesis aims to demonstrate how single-use programming can transform into a multi-use communal space that can be reintegrated into the public realm, thereby creating dynamic environments that serve multiple functions and engage diverse communities. By creating connections to the surroundings through the inhabitation and manipulation of the landscape, incorporating soft and porous thresholds, and various urban programs, such as housing and recreation, we can foster greater social interaction, accessibility, and a strong sense of community, helping to reclaim the city for its inhabitants.