Reconstructing Public Space in the Context of Digital Cities:An Interdisciplinary Perspective of Communication and Architecture

Abstract

This study examines the mechanisms and development pathways of public space reconstruction in digital cities from an interdisci
plinary perspective that integrates communication studies and architecture. Drawing on Richard Sennett's theory of the decline of public life,
the paper analyzes the relationship between reduced face-to-face interactions and the diminishing vitality of public spaces in contemporary
urban environments. Building upon the concept of "geographical media, " the study explores how digital technologies reshape public space by
enhancing participation and reconstructing collective memory.A case study of the Ruins of St. Paul's area in Macau is employed to investigate
how immersive digital experiences and public cultural events reconfigure public interaction within hybrid physicalvirtual environments,
thereby contributing to the reproduction of urban imagery.
The findings suggest that public space in digital cities is transforming from a purely physical entity into a hybrid communicative field
that integrates material and media dimensions. This transformation is driven by increased public participation, strengthened emotional connec
tions, and the reconfiguration of publicness. Finally, the paper reflects on governance models, human subjectivity, and community construc
tion as key dimensions for future urban development.