bsascom

Stumbled over a new link in the net which seems to be very helpful and showes how important the topic is.
http://www.unesco.org/most/valleng.htm

People who have a flexible and unpredictable work schedule want a ready access to recreation on a “just-in-time” basis. While there is a 100 percent chance that someone might work within a 24 hours day, it is obviously possible that there are people who need an extended break whenever necessary, not only to recreate but also in many cases to get a stimulation which might have a major influence on their work.
During day- or nighttime they might go running, bike riding, take a walk or enjoy time in a street cultural place.
Ray Oldenburg describes these places as third places. These are places where people would go for the described needs or maybe just the pleasure of good company or lively conversations. These places are described as neither home nor work.
But this changed; these places merged or are merging together
Places to work, to live, for recreation or lifestyle can now be found in one area, like the described “multifunctional neighborhood”. Although this is not a new invention (see Greenwich village New York, SoHo London, Melrose Avenue Los Angeles, Kreuzberg Berlin etc.) the actuality lies in the fact that this is getting more and more common all over the world.

Another quote to Richard Florida

It seems like products and „pure services“ are being gradually replaced by „stimulating experiences“; life is much more active nowadays and people are participating more rather than consuming.
The higher the education of the people the more these feel attracted to spaces that give them opportunities to explore, to experience or to challenge themselves.
What kind of places are we talking about?
Parks, trails, lakes or any more or less “natural” places, which could be even artificially built (nice contrast to the older eras in history where natural space was taken by inhabitants to be replaced by working or living space) or the so called “street culture” places, which are multifunctional neighborhoods.
Florida describes this culture as “…originally grows from its surroundings and a sizeable number of the creators and patrons of the culture live close by”.
Different kinds of people come together to partake or to participate in a culture that might result of ideas with foreign origins or reflects the idea of street art and perfomance.
This culture consists of many parts as bars, restaurants, stores, galleries etc. and these are more or less “grown” but these parts have all in common that they don´t follow fashion trends (see also the steadiness of places, image of the city, Kevin Lynch) and that they are open to everyone. They are happening within streets or squares, but in anyway in public space which have no entry fees and they invite the people to participate.
“ It is not only a scene but many; a music scene, an art scene, nightlife scene etc.”
This does not mean that “high art” places like museums or theaters are not necessary anymore, people will surely still go, but in contrast to high art events the street culture is ongoing and offers “room” to people even without big salary or income. Even the intensity, the level and the duration can be defined individually

the graphic describes that there was no influence of humans on their natural sorrounding during the "stone age".