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Introduction
Best practice architecture and urban design guidance and selected local planning policy advocates the provision of active frontages in our town and city centres (Llewelyn Davies Yeang and HCA, 2013; PCC, 2007; URBED, 2009). However, scant empirical research has been undertaken in this area to establish why active frontages should be provided, if indeed they should, and what benefits, if any, they can bring. Consequently, this important subject area was selected as the focus for this research.
The overall aim of this article was to establish the relationship between the quality of an active frontage and perceptions of a related public space. The research objectives were to:
Explore the factors that contribute to the success of public spaces and the potential benefits of successful public spaces, and
Identify the impact of the quality of active frontages on public perceptions of public spaces.
Previous research (Gehl et al , 2006) has adduced that good-quality active frontages can contribute to the success of a public space. Successful public spaces are those that are comfortable, sociable, accessible and active (PPS, 2011a) and which are loved by the people who use them (Carr et al , 1992). There are a number of factors that can contribute to the success of public spaces; the literature is reviewed and the success factors for public spaces are consolidated. The article also considers why we need successful public spaces; they have been found to provide benefits on a number of different levels, and therefore if active frontages really can help to create successful public spaces and deliver these benefits, they are evidently a critical element of the urban design of our towns and cities.
Active Frontages
The concept of active frontages has primarily developed through the work of Jan Gehl over the last four decades, but has its roots in the work of Jacobs (1961) and Newman (1973). The following simple definition is provided within the glossary of Safer Places (ODPM, 2004, p. 103): Active frontage - The frontage or edge of a building or space that has windows and doors as opposed to blank walls, fences and garages. The influential publication, Urban Design Compendium, listed a number of attributes for active frontages: frequency of doors and windows; vertical rhythm to...