Toward a Conceptual Model for Public Space Assessment With Focus on the Right to the City Discourse Using the Fuzzy-Delphi and Dematel Methods

Abstract

Public spaces are key elements in making a just city. These spaces are important due to the potential roles they can have in the individual and social life of the citizens, and as a result, by redefining them, we can take a big step toward more just cities. In this study, by an extensive literature review on the right to the city discourse, we designed a conceptual model that includes components and variables that affect the construction of a just city. In order to refine this model, according to 15 experts with research experience on the right to the city and public spaces, we used the Fuzzy-Delphi technique. The DEMATEL method has also been used to understand how the main components of the conceptual model interact with each other. Our findings show that the movement toward just cities through public space requires an increase in democracy, equity, participation, diversity and appropriation, and among the mentioned components, diversity has the highest impact, while appropriation is of the lowest impact.