Roger Trancik identifies and critiques one of the most persistent problems in post-war urban development: the proliferation of “lost spaces”—those undefined, underutilised, or neglected voids in the urban fabric. Trancik argues that these spaces are a by-product of modernist planning, suburban sprawl, and car-centric design paradigms that prioritise function, circulation, and architectural spectacle over human experience and continuity. Drawing from case studies in North America and Europe, he reveals how zoning policies, isolated building typologies, and disjointed infrastructure have created fragmented environments, often hostile to pedestrians and lacking spatial meaning. Central to his thesis is the idea that good urban space is not merely a leftover between buildings but a deliberate, connective tissue that shapes public life. Trancik proposes three theoretical lenses for addressing this spatial crisis: figure-ground theory (emphasising spatial relationships between built and unbuilt forms), linkage theory (focusing on systems and movement patterns), and place theory (highlighting cultural memory, identity, and sensory experience). These frameworks enable designers and planners to reinterpret the city not just as a collection of objects, but as a dynamic, legible, and emotionally resonant environment. He calls for reintegrating architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design to create meaningful, pedestrian-oriented public spaces that support social interaction, environmental sustainability, and aesthetic coherence. The strength of Trancik’s analysis lies in its capacity to bridge theoretical critique with practical solutions—he presents design strategies to reclaim, repurpose, and reanimate lost spaces, such as pocket parks, pedestrian corridors, and mixed-use infill. His work remains a foundational text in urban design education, pushing professionals to rethink how voids can be transformed into vibrant, inclusive places. For those interested in walkability, Trancik offers a clear rationale for re-establishing spatial continuity and human-scale environments as key to creating walkable, liveable cities.
Trancik, R. (1986) Finding Lost Space: Theories of Urban Design. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
