The Art of City Design Exhibition: The Public Realm - Dialogue 1 with David McCullough
McCullough is excited to participate in the upcoming World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024 exhibition at the popular Bread + Salt Art Gallery, titled The Art of City Design: The Work of Frank Wolden & Friends. This event aims to showcase our region as a global hub for design, innovation, arts, and culture; fostering lasting economic, social, cultural, civic, and environmental impacts. San Diego Tijuana is the first cross-border region to be designated a World Design Capital by the World Design Organization.
The public realm – Dialogue 1 by David McCullough
The public realm encompasses most of the built environment that is not reserved for private use. It defines the urban experience, serving as the backdrop for daily life. Through the centuries, this space was, in large part, what’s left over after everything else was claimed by someone as "theirs". However, with the rise of democratic societies and 20th century urbanists like Jane Jacobs, combined with the accelerated emphasis on the diversity, equity, and inclusion movement, the quality of the public realm is becoming scrutinized and evaluated at new levels.
For this exhibition, we are bringing together local professionals who specialize in public realm design with insights on what constitutes a successful or unsuccessful public space, lessons we can draw from historical precedents, and the aspirations San Diego should aim for. Our goal is to explore how San Diego can evolve from "America's Finest City" to a truly world-class city with an exceptional public realm.
Reimagining the Public Realm: David's Perspective
Most people think of the public realm as streets for cars, parks for recreation, and plazas for commercial activities. Beyond these purposes, the significance of public spaces is often overlooked. However, if the public realm is the only remaining space accessible to everyone, we need to think beyond traditional uses and plan ways to meet the needs of a dense urban society.
For example, streets can and should be places for social activity and events. How can we reimagine a space to be more than its original purpose? Streets, parks, and plazas are the only places left that can offer inclusivity and diversity. These spaces need thoughtful planning to be accessible and free for everyone, but how do we accommodate everyone?
In San Diego, parks have historically followed a 20th-century formula. It's time to adopt a 21st-century mindset, activating parks with vendors such as coffee shops, skate parks, public art. This approach brings private interests into parks, alleviating the burden on city staff. Parks should cater to diverse uses and stakeholders. For instance, Balboa Park, with its several museums, exemplifies a successful public space. Also, Plaza de Panama was transformed from a parking lot to a vibrant space with the addition of Panama 66 restaurant. This is the direction we need to take with our parks—embracing diverse uses and active community involvement.
Joining David in this dialogue will be Urban Planner, Bill Anderson; Architect, Rob Quigley; UCSD Professor, Larry Herzog; Interim Co-CEO of Forever Balboa Park, Jackie Higgins, and more. Together, they will explore innovative ways to reimagine and enhance the public realm in San Diego.