The Ludic City: Exploring the Potential of Public Spaces

This international and illustrated work challenges current writings focussing on the problems of urban public space to present a more nuanced and dialectical conception of urban life. Detailed and extensive international urban case studies show how urban open spaces are used for play, which is defined and discussed using Caillois' four-part definition competition, chance, simulation and vertigo. Stevens explores and analyzes these case studies according to locations where play has been observed: paths, intersections, thresholds, boundaries and props. Applicable to a wide-range of countries and city forms, The Ludic Cityis a fascinating and stimulating read for all who are involved or interested in the design of urban spaces.

Quentin Stevens is Lecturer in Planning and Urban Design at the Bartlett School of Planning, University College London.