The Impacts of Events on the Transformation of Urban Public Space Structures

Abstract

Problem Statement: In contemporary urban contexts, city events are increasingly recognized as powerful tools in urban policy-making. However, their dual nature—as both drivers of development and catalysts for spatial inequality—necessitates deeper examination.
Research Objective: This study aims to analyze the structural and multidimensional impacts of urban events on public spaces and to propose a conceptual framework for understanding the reciprocal dynamics between events and urban spatial structure. It specifically addresses the central question: How can urban events simultaneously contribute to the regeneration of public spaces while exacerbating spatial inequalities?
Methodology: The research adopts a semi-systematic review approach, utilizing qualitative content analysis. The analytical framework integrates inferential and comparative methods to identify key patterns of event-driven spatial transformation.
Findings: Urban events influence five structural dimensions of public space through dual (positive and negative) effects:

Physical – urban renewal versus physical degradation;
Environmental – ecological pressures versus opportunities for sustainable management;
Socio-cultural – strengthening collective identity versus marginalization risks;
Economic – short-term economic growth versus unequal benefit distribution;
Governance – participatory opportunities versus risks of privatization.

Conclusion: The findings underscore the dual character of urban events as both enablers of development and intensifiers of spatial injustice. The proposed framework, with its comprehensive lens on five dimensions, offers an analytical tool for urban policymakers to harness events as levers for sustainable urban development. The study highlights the imperative for smart governance and integrated planning in event-oriented urban strategies.