a public space is a social space such as a town square that is open and accessible to all regardless of gender race ethnicity age or socioeconomic level one of the earliest examples of public spaces are commons for example no fees or paid tickets are required for entry nor are the entrants discriminated based on background non government owned malls are examples of private space with the appearance of being public space public space has also become something of a touchstone for critical theory in relation to philosophy urban geography visual art cultural and social studies architecture and urban design the term public space is also often misconstrued to mean other things such as gathering place which is an element of the larger concept of social