If you now close your eyes and imagine taking a bite of your favourite food what would it be? A juicy hamburger, cheesy pizza, creamy pasta, a fresh salad with best quality vegetables or maybe ice cream?
I hope your mouths are watering already… But if I asked you to think about it again, where do you actually see yourself? Your favourite restaurant, your grandma’s home, your own kitchen or… maybe a specific spot in your city?
Eating and drinking is an inseparable part of human life. Not only is it important for nourishing our bodies but it also is a great element of our social lives. Cultures around the world have different relationships with food. In some places, food is simply fuel to get through the day, while in others, it’s the highlight of the day, bringing together family and friends around a table filled with home-cooked dishes. In warm regions like Greece, Italy, or Spain, food is more than just a necessity; it’s a way of life. From one of my trips to Crete I remember how much I enjoyed the view of long tables covered with small dishes where large groups of people sat together, shared, chatted and laughed as the sun was setting down and a cool breeze felt very refreshing after a scorching day.
The experience of eating and drinking varies widely across countries and cultures, making it crucial to consider these differences when designing public spaces. Eating a sandwich in a Copenhagen park feels quite different from doing so on a Palermo promenade.
In Rotterdam, for example, some parks feature designated barbecue areas—a perfect setting for enjoying fresh air, good food, and the company of friends. Whether you’re grilling with friends or savouring a sandwich while people-watching, these moments engage all your senses and elevate your well-being.
So how can we make sure that the public spaces we create can facilitate such experiences, be it a family or friends gathering or a person sipping their morning coffee on a bench watching people pass by?
At Humankind we know that for such wholesome experiences in public space there needs to be more than just a picnic table in the middle of a grass field.
One of the lenses of our Good Public Space model focusing on eating and drinking defines exactly what we should be thinking about when designing places where one can feed their stomach and soul.
For example, and perhaps an obvious one, we look at whether there are places to sit and dig into whatever is in your lunchbox. But what if one day you forget your lunch, is there a place where you can buy a healthy meal? Of course it does not end there. We wouldn’t want to take this delicious first bite in a place that is messy or extremely loud, would we? And imagine you are taking your date on a picnic, a beautiful green area where you can find some shadow would be best, right?
When assessing public spaces with our tools, we ask these types of questions to evaluate the quality and availability of amenities. We also consider how accessible these spaces are for different users. Our goal is to ensure that public spaces are inviting for everyone in relation to their context, offering a place to enjoy a meal or a snack in peace, while still being connected to the surroundings.
Take Plein 1940 in Rotterdam, for example. This square, located behind the Maritiem Museum, offers a great view over Leuvehaven but lacks vibrancy. Imagine how this space could be transformed into a lively meeting spot, where people gather to share a meal and enjoy the view. Perhaps by adding seating areas, or even a food kiosk, we could create a place that draws visitors after their museum visit, inviting them to pause, eat, and connect.
Plein 1940, Rotterdam redesigned for a meeting place where people can enjoy the view of the historical part of the city and enjoy a bite or a drink.
Food has a unique power to attract people and bring life to a space. A simple food truck, ice cream stand, or market stall can inject vibrancy into an area, creating opportunities for social interaction and adding to the overall experience. The more people you meet while waiting for your falafel pita or finding the perfect sunspot for your morning coffee, the more enjoyable and enriching your experience becomes.
It’s clear that designing public spaces requires careful consideration of the local context. While it might be tempting to generalise across countries, each city has its own unique relationship with food. Each area offers distinct dishes, traditions, and ingredients, making the experience of eating and drinking in public spaces special and irreplaceable. From Rotterdam’s expansive parks with BBQ stations to the kilometres of dinner tables that line streets in southern Europe, every city provides a unique backdrop for culinary experiences. However, no matter where you are, the idea of sharing a meal with others can really be great for your well-being. And if you can do it in the living rooms of our cities- the public spaces- it only informs us about how hospitable our own cities are to their own citizens.
This post is the third of nine chapters where we dive into our approach to creating Good Public Space and explore the elements of our model.
In the next part, we’ll explore the importance of having a public space which permits everybody to do sports.
Which is your favourite sport activity to do?
Stay tuned to discover more about how public spaces can support activities that are vital for our health and well-being!
Marta Nosowicz – Urban Planning Specialist
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