I'm suggesting that in order to influence the space around us in any way, we have to feel a sense of ownership for it and belonging to it -- otherwise it is left to the urban planners, whether New Urbanismists or old. I wonder if people in the Netherlands feel more ownership of public spaces country-wide given the size of the country than people in North America.I meant something different with that.
I believe you are asking about individual or community input into creating space. Is that it? If I'm right, that's an interesting question.Instead of controlling every aspect of the public realm, a place can be so much more if that tight grip is loosened.
The tight grip of urban planning protects people from rampant development as well as preventing the re-imagining of spaces.