This thesis focuses on open public space connected with central activities. The thesis aims to describe the importance of the location of open public space and central activities, especially as regards services of general interest, on the perception of the city centre. The primary goal is to test the hypothesis that two connected locations of open public space and central activities define the city centre, while the presence of open public space is associated with satisfaction with living in the city and the perception of the image of the city centre. Using criteria and indicators, a wider group of 33 cities and a narrower group of 8 cities were defined. The spatial analysis produced quantitative data on the presence of open public space in cities. The survey questionnaire was completed by residents from the wider group of cities. Results from the spatial analysis and the survey showed that the city centre can be defined at the site where the two locations of open public space and central activities are connected. It was also found that, out of all the types of open public space, residents in small cities most often use open public space connected with central activities. This also partially confirmed that the presence of open public space connected with central activities is associated with satisfaction with living in the city. It was found that the presence of open public space in city centres significantly affects the perception of the image of the city.
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