Most of the towns in Vojvodina Province nowadays lack of “flourish” places or those where the public life is intensive. Even the places with cultural values or situated in central zones, are often obsolete and isolated. On the other hand, the place “intensity” that already exists in urban space can be spread around and new places of urban activity can be generated. This paper aims to enhance the public life of Vojvodina town and to increase the “intensity” of their urban space. At the same time, for the objective has the revealing of a towns identity, discovering the true meaning of place and location’s unique character. In order to achieve this, the circumstances and characteristics that make one place “intensive” and keep it “flourish” must be identified and
analysed. The relevance of their analysis is that they can serve as a base on which guidelines for the enhancement of public life and place identity can be established. Open public space is a main carrier of urban life in Vojvodina towns. However, it could be considered as the locus of urbanity and town’s identity in a broader sense. From here derives the focus of the research presented in this paper, which is defining the characteristics of open public space which create the "intensive place". The theoretical background is developed on the “intensity” of place. The “intensity” as it is understood in this paper relays on the next basic conceptions: (1) intensity is not the same as density, although it is closely related with the presence of the people in open public space; (2) it is created through the everyday experience, but it is also determined by urban space construction during the time and cultural influences that this construction follow; (3) intensity means continuity and vitality of place achieved simultaneously, and in this regard, it is very important for urban identity and public life. In this context, the methodological framework that conducts this research is created, and it is composed of two parts. The first part investigates the historical and cultural transformation of place of Vojvodina towns and the characteristics of open public space as they are perceived today.
The form and function of the open public space is analysed, as well as its influence and meaning. In the second part, the
intensity of use, vitality and attractiveness of open public space are explored. The method of space syntax is used for the measuring of flows and concentrations of users. From the first part of investigation the elements of identity of open public spaces and their cultural value are identified. From the second part of investigation, the main pedestrian routes and point of users concentrations are registrated. By comparing and overlapping of all the data collected, the characteristics that make the open public space intensive, “lively” but also rooted in the “local” are identified. Their potential as tools for the “reinvention” of places and encouraging of intensity of open public space of Vojvodina towns is discussed, and the way of its possible application is suggested
