With the arrival of summer, urban living habits begin to shift. People increasingly seek to distance themselves from enclosed spaces and reconnect with nature. As summer sets in, the angle of the sun changes, days grow longer, and the air becomes warmer. This natural cycle brings open spaces back into focus within city life. Outdoor environments are no longer preferred solely for walking they are now chosen for working, resting, socializing, or simply spending time alone.
In the Urban Design Guide, open spaces are defined as one of the fundamental components of climate-responsive living. In today’s increasingly dense urban environments, shaded areas, permeable surfaces, and micro public spaces supported by urban furniture play a significant role in enhancing quality of life in the city. As temperatures rise at the beginning of summer, people begin to seek protection from the sun, improved air circulation, and tactile connection with natural materials. Well-designed open spaces, therefore, are not only aesthetically valuable they also serve as a vital tool in the fight against the climate crisis.
With the arrival of summer, the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces begin to blur in design. Terraces, inner courtyards, semi-open corridors, and seating areas integrated with the street are becoming a natural part of daily life. These spaces are expected to provide a combination of functions such as coolness, light control, and opportunities for social interaction. According to a study published by Columbia University, the active use of open spaces during summer offers not only physical but also psychological benefits. Exposure to natural daylight, reduction in stress levels, and decreased feelings of social isolation are among the positive effects highlighted in the report. (Columbia Climate School, 2020).
In the post-pandemic era, the use of outdoor spaces has become an essential part of urban culture. At the start of summer, parks, squares, and street edges come back to life. Structures such as open-air meeting areas, street cafés, walking paths, and temporary event platforms become stages for both individual and collective urban experiences. According to the Cities and Public Space report, open public spaces play a critical role in social integration, public health, and economic revitalization. Especially during the summer months, designing these areas to be inclusive, accessible, and shaded has a direct impact on user satisfaction.
In dense urban environments, open space can often be limited. For this reason, the multi-functional use of space becomes increasingly important. The same courtyard can serve as a quiet workspace in the morning, a shaded dining spot at noon, and a small event stage in the evening enabling the efficient use of urban space throughout the day. This transformation requires flexibility in design, modular solutions, and material harmony.
The beginning of summer offers a renewed relationship with the city. Open spaces are not merely seasonal luxuries; they represent a healthy, social, and environmentally responsive way of living. Therefore, the use of open space in urban planning and architecture should no longer be seen as a complementary feature, but as a fundamental component of thoughtful design.
Republic of Türkiye, Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. Kentsel Tasarım Rehberi (Urban Design Guide). 2021.
https://www.csb.gov.tr
Columbia University Climate School. The Psychological and Physical Benefits of Urban Green and Open Spaces.2020.
https://news.climate.columbia.edu
UN-Habitat. Cities and Public Space: A Compendium of Urban Policies and Design Strategies. 2022.
https://unhabitat.org
