Design for privacy in public space

Abstract

To become the personalized society, public space has been an important role in satisfying people's expectations. Diverse users have used public space for their purpose. However, every user has been not satisfied with public space in terms of privacy. Also, public space has been expanded by users. In order to design public space, public design seems to need a framework and guideline for users. Based on the current situation, this research focused on figuring out the relationship privacy and diverse public spaces. One of the outstanding features of it is that this study was focusing the main problem of public space in order to develop better public space for users. This study will provide to better well-being in public space and help public design to develop long-lasting public space in terms of privacy. Also, this knowledge will be applied in academicals field and practical public design field. In order to understand the relationship between public space and privacy, literature review was conducted to define the term of public space and privacy, and to classify public space. This was followed by mixed-methods (semi-structured interview and questionnaire) with 40 participants. Trough out literature, privacy consisted of eight elements; Freedom of expression, Safety, Freedom from judgement, Fewer crowds, Anonymity, Solitude, Comfort, and No noise and public space was classified to four types; Pleasure zone, Active zone, Serious zone, and Gentle zone. In user research, four types of public space related to different elements of privacy. Based on the results, expert focus group workshop for developing a guideline was conducted to three experts who were designer, architect, and psychologist. The conclusion which can be led by this study of guidelines are these: 1) To strength the elements of freedom of expression, safety, and freedom from judgment in Pleasure zone, there were total 18 guidelines, 2) To consider the elements of safety, fewer crowds, and comfort in Active zone, there were all 16 guidelines, 3) There were total 14 guidelines in order to improve privacy about anonymity, and solitude in Serious zone, and 4) To protect user’s privacy in Gentle zone, there were total 17 guidelines. The findings might be contributed public design field to use design guidelines that reflects the relationship privacy and types of space. It is expected not only to improve user satisfaction but also to provide sustainable public space for urban city.