Public spaces as quality indicators in urban regeneration initiatives

The paper intends to investigate how urban regeneration actions are facing the increasing role played by public spaces in performing physical transformations with respect to the economie, socia! and environmental issues. Starting from the assumption that urban regenerationinitiatives are based on a mixed use approach (Calthorpe, 1993; Cervero, 2003; Katz, 1994, Brueckner 2000), we aim at investigating the role played by public spaces as indica/or of quality of urban transformations. The case studies analysis, based on some insights of the CLUDs project under 7FP lrses 2010, aims to demonstrate how urban regeneration tools, Public Private Partnerships - led, give public spaces the role above mentioned. The case studies analyzed in Boston Metropolitan Area (MA) and in San Diego (CA), experienced BlD, TOD, and PDA in which the public space assumes a new conceptualization.Urban transformations, through business localization and a strong connection among urban activities, change the way of considering public space turning it into a work/live jlexible meaning. We suggest public spaces as measure and way to contro/ as well the quality of urban regeneration initiatives, means to investigate «the urban dimension of public-making» (Iveson, 2011:2).