Public Space Ratio Calculator
The share of a district that is public — streets, squares and parks — against the UN-Habitat benchmark of 45 to 50%, and what it would take to reach it.
UN-Habitat recommends that 45 to 50% of urban land be public space, of which 30 to 35% is streets.
How the public space ratio calculator works
UN-Habitat recommends that 45 to 50% of urban land be public space, of which 30 to 35% is streets. Most well-loved city centres sit in that range; most car-era suburbs fall well short on streets and squares while sometimes over-providing parks.
The split matters as much as the total: a district that is 20% streets and 25% parks feels very different from one that is 35% streets and 10% parks.
Formula: public share = (streets + squares + parks) / total area
Worked examples
| Inputs | Public space share | Note |
|---|---|---|
| A typical suburb | 34.17% | 34% — short on streets |
| A traditional city centre | 48.33% | 48% — meets the benchmark |
| Park-rich, street-poor | 45.83% | total meets it, streets do not |
FAQFrequently asked questions
What share of a city should be public space?
UN-Habitat recommends 45 to 50%, with 30 to 35% as streets. Manhattan is about 36% streets; a cul-de-sac suburb can be under 15%.
Why do streets count as public space?
Because they are — the largest public space in any city, and the one people use most. A district with few streets has few places to be in public.
Is more park land always good?
Past a point it substitutes for streets and squares, which is what the split reveals. Large parks with few streets between them can reduce connectivity.
How do I measure this for my area?
From a cadastral map: the district boundary, the road reserve, and the public reserves. Most councils publish the layers.
Does this include private plazas?
Only if they are genuinely public — open at all hours with no restrictions. Most privately owned public spaces should be counted with caution.
Where these figures come from
- UN-Habitat — Urban Indicators Guidelines — density, green space and public space benchmarks
- World Health Organization — Urban green spaces — the 9 m² per person minimum
- ITE — Parking Generation Manual — parking demand rates by land use
- Australian Bureau of Statistics — Regional population — Australia's national statistics agency
Last checked: September 2026. Default per-capita rates are mid-range figures from national statistical agencies and utility reports; every one is an input you should replace with the local figure.