Watch This Space: Designing, Defending and Sharing Public Spaces - Hardcover

Dyer, Hadley

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1554532930 ISBN 13: 9781554532933

Publisher: Kids Can Press, 2010

Synopsis

This unique and timely book introduces youth to what public space is, why it is important and how best to use it. It also underscores the need to create, preserve and protect public space. Readers will learn what makes successful public spaces work, the ins and outs of sharing and designing them, the issues surrounding teenagers in public spaces and much more. Watch This Space answers the question, Why is public space important? It's important because this space belongs to all of us.

About this title

About the Authors

Hadley Dyer is a regular contributor to magazines such as Toronto Life and Owl. She teaches in the publishing program at Ryerson University and lives, writes and makes use of the public spaces in Toronto. Hadley is the author of Watch This Space.

Marc Ngui caught the book-making bug at seven years old and has been writing, drawing and making zines and comics ever since. Marc has traveled around the world and his last permanent place of residence was Toronto. He is the illustrator of Watch This Space.

Reviews

Grade 9 Up—This book knocks you over the head with its message—that public spaces are a valuable part of every community, be they urban, suburban, or rural—and that's not necessarily a bad thing. That teenagers are the intended audience is surprising for a book on this topic, and the authors do an excellent job of defining public spaces, providing the historical context for them, and enumerating exactly why young people should care. The writing is contemporary and relevant, offering up real examples at every turn that represent the best and worst of public spaces around the world, such as comparing the success of two different city parks, one in Philadelphia and one in Rotterdam. By providing plenty of information, the authors encourage teens to advocate for themselves, take to the streets, as it were, and become involved in both the design and use of public spaces. The format of the book and the illustrations, in particular, are engaging and informative, complementing the text without overwhelming it. Pair this in booktalks or displays with titles on city parks, skateboarding, city murals, and/or Frederick Law Olmsted for an intriguing look at spaces open to all.—Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA
(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

“What if cities and towns invited teens to help create spaces where they can feel like they belong?” “Is the Internet a public space?” With provocative questions and an informative, casual tone, this heavily illustrated title addresses a rare topic in books for youth: city planning and public spaces. From basic definitions of public space, Dyer moves on to ethical questions about safety and privacy, art and beautification, and community-friendly design elements of publicly owned spaces. Throughout, Dyer uses personal anecdotes and global examples, from Peoples’ Park in Berkeley, California, to Al-Azhar Park in Cairo, Egypt, to emphasize the impact of public spaces around the world. Dyer frankly acknowledges that many public spaces seem to have been planned and regulated by adults who suffer from ephebiphobia, or “fear of youth,” and she encourages readers to rally their communities for more teen-friendly areas designed just for them. With engaging digitally rendered artwork, interactive exercises, and numerous questions for discussion, this wide-ranging title invites teens to think about and help shape their communities, now and in the future. Grade 10. --Gillian Engberg

Edition details

• Publisher: Kids Can Press
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1554532930
• ISBN 13: 9781554532933
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Ngui Marc
• Number of pages: 80