Art, sociability and urban space

Abstract

A sense of placelessness within our urban environment is beginning to prevail in America's cityscape. This is primarily due to a growing lack of character demonstrated in the design of public plazas today. However, art is being used as a placemaking technique to form a connection between the community and the urban environments they utilize. At the focus of most successful urban spaces is some form of art or landscape element, such as a sculpture or fountain, which will create focus within the space. This undertaking focuses on creating identity in an urban environment through the implementation of art as a placemaker, as well as enhancing social space.