The relative indeterminacy ofpublic space has led to two rather different linesof research. One pertains to the sociology ofculture, with rather general studies of a broadscope that cover lengthy historical periods and callfor an analysis of urbanity in the Western world.The other line of research includes the extremelydetailed studies of human conduct in specific urbanspatial settings. This paper takes a differentapproach: public space is described based on thenotion of urban landscapes, which are expressionsof economic, demographic and technologicaldevelopments.