Abstract
The planning and sustainability of urban areas is significant to the resilience of spaces and settlements. The planning system in many African countries is shaped by colonial policies promoting spatial inequalities and segregations (Obeng-odoom, 2015). According to Landman, 2015 the changing landscape in the cultural, political and economic industry has led to changes in values and investments in the urban public space in South Africa. The changes have led to technological innovations and different modes of production and service delivery in the country. The demand in public space in urban areas has increased due to expansion in population and people’s needs. There has been a need for transformation in the making of public spaces and urban design has been a main tool to achieve that goal (Madanipour, 2006 as cited in Landman, 2015). Public spaces are usually plugged by an aura of crime, danger, xenophobic attacks, exclusion e.t.c; scholars, planners and relevant decision makers feel a need to change that perception into valuing public space as social life enhancers and community investment (Watson, 2006 as cited in Graffikin, 2010). Considering the new democratic era in our country the design and construction of public spaces have to be done in an inclusive and consultative manner to achieve sustainability and resilience. The role of the end user is of outmost importance when it comes to public space construction. This also plays major role in preserving the identity and meaning of such a place due to proper usage of the space. Overcoming the apartheid legacy meant a change in regulations which should remove the barriers of inequality and discrimination in terms of usage and access to space. Often Public spaces become underutilised neglected spaces which resembles a waste of public resources. The integrated sustainable development approach to settlement planning is also one of strategies adopted to ensure less fragmentation and alignment between sectors. Sustainable development has been at the centre of development agenda and achieving that goal becomes critical for the transformation. There is a new trend in South Africa in the production of spaces which cater or try to influence people to adopt healthy living and active life styles. This includes parks fitted with gym equipment’s and walks ways, play grounds, multipurpose sporting facilities etc. Healthy leaving could be in terms of psychological importance of stress relieve or mental health were people will go out for socialising in parks, historical sites etc. Parks and areas with appealing aesthetics and greening can contribute positively to mental health. The world is faced with many health problems ranging from obesity, mental health, diabetes, cancer etc. which require people to adopt active life styles and South Africa is one of the countries affected. Promoting a healthy citizenship contributes to the fight against poverty and poor production, yet adopting a healthy lifestyle can be expensive for the poorest citizens of the country. The transformation in public space should also consider the public need for active life styles and good health. The accessibility of those spaces is also of major concern looking at the availability, management and affordability of land. According to Gordon, 2012 public spaces are part of the major community development programs and projects aimed at alleviating poverty, improving economic , social and infrastructure development and not stand alone initiatives. This paper seeks to provide the linkage between production of public space and how it can influence active and healthy life styles amongst South Africans. Furthermore it will uncover the process followed in producing those spaces, the people’s perception of such spaces and how it contributes to their lives.
