In 2007 a research project published by the social-policy research and development charity, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, used 46 observers to look at how people actually use public spaces, finding that one of the most important functions of public space is to allow people 'to do nothing'. This was described by the authors as 'an essential role which shouldn't be eradicated', in contrast to the growing micro-management of acivities which threatens to design out lingering and wandering around.

from Anna Minton's Ground Control