Organizing public space in the contemporary city within “open” and “smart” city framework

The future of humanity is closely tied to cities as socioeconomic subjects. Thus, researchers’ interest to the prospects of urban development is steadily increasing. This study is focused on the social significance of urban environment as a public space and the impact of the widespread introduction of digital technologies in everyday life. The author refers to the R. Sennett concept of the “open city", which says that the urban space makes it possible to meet and communicate to random people, expanding the boundaries of social interaction. The paper analyzes the state of the contemporary city and the transformation of public space as a result of the use of advanced digital technologies for a comfortable life in the city. Moreover, it suggests the trends of their further development based on “The New Urban Agenda" of the UN General Assembly. The social significance and influence of the architecture of the urban environment on a person as a space of social ties for creating conditions for involving people in direct contact is argued. The importance of the idea that the city should be “open" is emphasized.