Weigand, Lynnette Renee.

Is there still a role for a central urban open space in our communities? Given our lifestyle, we may ask what that role might be. How are plazas used in contemporary American cities? What elements make the difference between those that are loved and those that are barren? How can we create urban spaces that meet the needs of the community? The goal of this study is two-fold: to determine the elements of successful urban public spaces and to demonstrate the role of those spaces in supporting the public life of the community. One urban plaza was chosen to study: Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square. It was chosen because it is considered by residents and design professionals to be a successful, active plaza, and because it was designed and completed less than ten years ago. By drawing conclusions about the square's role in the city and life of the residents, I hope to demonstrate how public spaces can support public life in today's communities. And, by studying the planning, design and use of this square, I hope to determine what makes this particular plaza work. This information can be useful to planners and designers of urban plazas in the future.

The following research questions were posed to guide the study toward the stated goals. How is Pioneer Courthouse Square used by Portland residents? What range of uses and activities does it support? What clues does use provide about its role in the community and public life? What features of the square's creation make this space a successful central urban place? For this study, a successful public space is defined as one which supports a variety of activities, is relatively clean and crime-free, and attracts more than one segment of the population. The study focused on plaza use during the fall and winter season. Conducting observation during the colder months provided more insight about the permanent roles and uses of the plaza, not simply the seasonal, or "fair weather" uses. Three methods of inquiry were used in this case study: direct observation, interviews, and library research.

After studying Pioneer Courthouse Square, it appears that many elements, working together, contribute to the square's success. While design is certainly one of them, the urban context, location, community life, attractions, events, public ownership and citizen support also play a role. This suggests that the most important lesson from this study may be the idea that designers and planners need to consider the full range and interaction of social, political, economic, and design factors that make up a public space. In Pioneer Courthouse Square, the synergy of these factors has culminated in a space that is used and loved by the residents, that is considered Portland's "living room" and which has come to symbolize the heart of the city.