This document discusses the role of urban public spaces, or the "urban realm", in enhancing the tourist experience. It notes that urban realms can serve as backdrops for monuments and buildings, locations for events, attractions in their own right, or accidental elements that add to the overall experience. It also addresses conflicts that can arise between tourists and locals over access to certain public spaces, especially residential areas, and questions how to define appropriate limits and behavior for tourists in different types of spaces.
1. Tourism and the Public Realm:Some observations Dr Simon C Woodward Senior Research Fellow, ICRT
2. How will I fill 15 minutes? The contribution of urban realm to the tourist experience ‘Frontspace’ and ‘backspace’ - conflicts over access to public space Points to consider
3. Contribution of urban realm to the tourist experience As a backdrop/ foreground to monuments and buildings As a location for events As an attraction in its own right As an ‘accidental’ element of the overall experience
16. Frontspace and backspace How appropriate is it for tourists to wander round people’s ‘backyards’? At what point does interest become intrusion? How can we raise awareness of acceptable limits?
18. How should tourists behave in a residential area? Is this ever public space?
19. Some points to consider Thoughtful design obviously adds to the sense of place We can use urban realm works to create destinations that appeal to both tourists &locals People will always adapt space to suit their own needs We must consider the needs of locals as well as tourists – are there limits to where tourists should go?
