As the city awakens from its imposed hibernation, this seems a good moment to cast a first glance on public space from a (mental) health perspective; urban parks as an anti-dote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the start of the first lockdown venturing into public space was perceived as dangerous and even perilous to one’s health (our own and others). While The Netherlands permitted ‘sanity walks’ to break quarantine, walk the (inner) dog or run essential errands, public life generally stood still. Instead, the home became the school, office, yoga studio, playground, shop, cinema, restaurant,\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But as it became clear that the chance to contract the virus is much smaller outdoors, people increasingly went out, to free themselves from the limited horizon of home isolation. Public space and, specifically, parks, offer an opportunity to escape, stretch the legs, catch a breath of fresh air and have a distanced, ‘safe’ interaction with other people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The irony that the city’s lungs, public parks, were closed during the first lockdown, and that a prevalent symptom of Covid-19 is shortness of breath, is not lost on me.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As the city awakens from its imposed hibernation, this seems a good moment to cast a first glance on public space from a (mental) health perspective; urban parks as an anti-dote. At the start of the first lockdown venturing into public space was perceived as dangerous and even perilous to one’s health (our own and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":52,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[5,12],"tags":[7,30,28,19],"class_list":["post-51","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-corona-files","category-public-green","tag-corona","tag-covid-19","tag-museumpark","tag-rotterdam"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/fe64526c-0365-4a4c-a36b-e2bebe34d85b-e1601540696808.jpg?fit=1376%2C1200&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":115,"url":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/2020\/06\/16\/circles-in-the-grass\/","url_meta":{"origin":51,"position":0},"title":"Social Distancing Strategies","author":"Floorvand","date":"16 June 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Like many other cities Rotterdam has adopted the circle strategy to 'nudge' people into keeping an appropriate coronaproof distance in public parks. The circles were first applied in Domino Park in Brooklyn N.Y. and soon went viral, mutating along the way, with variations in size, spacing and pattern. But when\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Corona Files"","block_context":{"text":"Corona Files","link":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/category\/corona-files\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/images4.persgroep.net_.jpeg?fit=694%2C437&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/images4.persgroep.net_.jpeg?fit=694%2C437&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/images4.persgroep.net_.jpeg?fit=694%2C437&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":456,"url":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/2021\/03\/03\/ad-hoc-defensive-urbanism-or-public-space-paranoia\/","url_meta":{"origin":51,"position":1},"title":"Ad-hoc Defensive Urbanism or Public Space Paranoia","author":"Floorvand","date":"3 March 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Over a year ago, the Corona-crisis broke and led to worldwide lockdowns that restricted acces to public space on the grounds of preventing viral spread. We were bombarded with \u2018nudging\u2019 methods that used tape, stickers and all manner of improvised materials to instruct our behaviour to maintain social distance, where\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Corona Files"","block_context":{"text":"Corona Files","link":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/category\/corona-files\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/IMG_8146-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/IMG_8146-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/IMG_8146-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/IMG_8146-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/IMG_8146-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":102,"url":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/2020\/08\/11\/publi-city-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":51,"position":2},"title":"Public Works","author":"Floorvand","date":"11 August 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Rotterdam is provided with a network of billboards to promote local cultural events: exhibitions, concerts, festivals, etc. The billboards are often located in unattractive spots for public exposure (see previous post). Tunnels and bypasses, non-places or transit spaces, that we\u2019re meant to move through as fast as possible. With many\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Corona Files"","block_context":{"text":"Corona Files","link":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/category\/corona-files\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_8515-kopie.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_8515-kopie.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_8515-kopie.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_8515-kopie.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_8515-kopie.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":147,"url":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/2020\/06\/24\/sports-in-times-of-corona\/","url_meta":{"origin":51,"position":3},"title":"Welcome to the Downtown Athletic Club","author":"Floorvand","date":"24 June 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"With sports facilities closed due to Corona, clubs are forced to give group trainings outside. Whether you exercise to feel better or to improve your body, within the confined space of a sports facility you are among like-minded people, initiates. The carefully groomed athletic body must be seen by others,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Corona Files"","block_context":{"text":"Corona Files","link":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/category\/corona-files\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_7737-kopie.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_7737-kopie.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_7737-kopie.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_7737-kopie.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_7737-kopie.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":576,"url":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/2021\/07\/13\/public-space-is-the-place-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":51,"position":4},"title":"Public Space is the Place","author":"Floorvand","date":"13 July 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Public space is inseparable from, and intertwined, with the city. It is the city's substrate, its foundation, the very fabric that connects otherwise isolated buildings. Public space sets the stage for our every-day life, our sociocultural interactions, our daily journeying and wayfinding. We travel, meet, eat, party, play, demonstrate, even\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/38-SIGNS-scaled.jpg?fit=1038%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/38-SIGNS-scaled.jpg?fit=1038%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/38-SIGNS-scaled.jpg?fit=1038%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/38-SIGNS-scaled.jpg?fit=1038%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":483,"url":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/2021\/04\/15\/public-space-detective-observations-published\/","url_meta":{"origin":51,"position":5},"title":"Back to the Future of Public Space","author":"Floorvand","date":"15 April 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"In response to the open call \"Back to the Future of Public Space: Postcards from 2020\" I sent in four observations which were all selected. The open call was initiated by Rhizomalab and aimed at gathering visual contributions from all over the world by architects, artists, designers and activists, reflecting\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Corona Files"","block_context":{"text":"Corona Files","link":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/category\/corona-files\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Schermafbeelding-2021-04-16-om-15.26.09.png?fit=1200%2C857&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Schermafbeelding-2021-04-16-om-15.26.09.png?fit=1200%2C857&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Schermafbeelding-2021-04-16-om-15.26.09.png?fit=1200%2C857&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Schermafbeelding-2021-04-16-om-15.26.09.png?fit=1200%2C857&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Schermafbeelding-2021-04-16-om-15.26.09.png?fit=1200%2C857&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pcM59q-P","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":933,"href":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51\/revisions\/933"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/52"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}