Spatial configuration and temporary appropriation of public spaces in Latin American cities: the case of the world heritage centre of Mexico City

A vast literature discusses the physical attributes of built environment for the purpose of creating lively and inclusive public spaces for the sake of its temporary appropriation by citizens. Here the term temporary appropriation is defined as the act in which people use public spaces to carry out individual or collective activities other than the purpose that the space was originally designed for. The paper reviews relevant literature and analyses urban design elements of the spatial configuration of the street that are related to the temporary appropriation. Its main objective is to identify urban design elements of spatial configuration of the street supporting diversity of temporary appropriation and explore this relationship in Mexico City Centre. The analysis and the study of theselected case study may provide insight and contribute to a better understanding of this relationship (appropriation and spatial configuration) within heritage city centres in Latin American cities."