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A public space or a '''public place''' is a place where anyone has a right to come without being excluded because of Economic Or Social conditions. For example, no fees or paid Ticket s are required for entry, nor are the entrants Discriminated based on background. Malls are examples of ''private space'' with the appearance of ''public space''.

Typical examples are most Road s, including the Pavement , Town Square s and Park s. Some parks, malls, waiting rooms, etc. are closed at Night .

Typical differences between a public space and a private space are illustrated by comparing sitting on a public bench and sitting on a seat in a pavement Café :
  • The first costs nothing.

  • There is no time limitation, apart from possible opening hours.

  • One is allowed to consume brought-along Food and Drink s (for Alcoholic Beverage s the law prohibits this sometimes; this may even be the case if it is allowed in a pavement café; in some public places alcohol consumption is allowed during the day, but not at night).

  • A pavement café may have a Dress Code such as a prohibition of being Shirtless , while in a public space only general law applies.


The Hall s and Street s (including Skyway s) in a Shopping center may or may not be declared a public place and may or may not be open when the shops are closed. Similarly for halls, Railway Platform s and Waiting Room s of Public Transport ; sometimes a travelling ticket is required.

A Public Library is also more or less a public place.

For these semi-public spaces stricter rules may apply than outside, e.g. regarding dress code, Trading , Begging , Advertising , Propaganda , riding Rollerskate s, Skateboard s, a Segway , etc.

in New York City was designed as a democratic public space in the 19th century.]]

In Norway , Sweden and Finland , all nature areas are considered public space, due to a law; '' Allemansrätten '' (everyones-right).

In general, there is no expectation of Privacy in a public space.

Public spaces are attractive for budget Tourist s and Homeless people, especially those that are relatively comfortable, e.g. a shopping center that provides shelter and, in a cold climate, is heated (or cooled in a hot climate). Sometimes the presence of homeless people is not appreciated and measures are taken to make the public space less attractive to them; the comfort of regular users may be affected by these people but also by the measures against them, e.g. no benches, a lower temperature, waiting rooms that are locked in the evening, etc.

A broader meaning of public space or place includes also places where everybody can come if they pay, like a Café , Train , Movie Theater or Brothel .

A Shop is an example of what is intermediate between the two meanings: everybody can enter and look around without obligation to buy, but activities unrelated to the purpose of the shop are not unlimitedly permitted.

Eating and drinking in an outside public place during Ramadan in an islamic country is sometimes not appreciated.

A Rest Stop or Truck Stop is a public space.


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