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The aim of the module is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the role of public space in contemporary cities of the Global North. The module examines a range of different, and often conflicting, ways in which publicness is understood in contemporary cities, and how these framings of publicness shape the provision of public space. The module approaches public spaces as sites that help solve pragmatic problems for those living in cities. By the end of the module students will have developed an understanding of the plural purposes of public spaces in contemporary cities of the Global North, and the different ways of provisioning and managing such spaces. Students will also have an appreciation of the differing ways policy makers, local politicians, activists, and other actors approach public space issues.

The module is taught through a series of problem based, student led, workshops. The first half of the module explores a range of different ways social scientists and policy makers have framed ideas of public-ness, and public space. The second half of the module involves student led project work. Projects focus on specific empirical case studies chosen and developed by students. The project based focus of the module aims to foster students' capacity for independent research and critical analytical capacities.

Module assessment consists of a seminar workbook (30 percent) and a coursework report (70 percent).