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gain acceptance, reduce controversy, and expand the conversation, many contemporary public art <br /> projects focus on public involvement. For example, the relative critical success of the Vietnam <br /> Veterans Memorial sculpture is largely attributed to a selection panel that included veterans, that <br /> is, "members of the using public" (Kelly 1996, p.18). In this work, members of the public were <br /> not involved with the creation of the work, but a small group of representative individuals <br /> selected the artwork on behalf of the public (Kelly 1996). The strong emotional response to this <br /> memorial provided a means by which the country could have a difficult discussion about the <br /> Vietnam War. However, this discussion might not have been nearly as productive had veterans <br /> not been involved with the process. In spite of multiple contrary interpretations, or perhaps <br /> because of, the monument is now widely recognized as one of the most admired and visited <br /> memorial in Washington, D.C. <br /> Urban planning literature has similar definitions of"public" as viewed through the lens of <br /> a place-making objective. A sense of vital public place "is associated with real events, with <br /> myths, with history and memories" (Hajer and Reij dorp 2002). Different types of public space <br /> create an environment for different types of public interaction. The urban planner is concerned <br /> with the practical use of public space; therefore, the physical elements of a site often take <br /> precedence. Attributes such as illumination, visibility, and the proximity to streets, sidewalks, <br /> and trails will determine the user groups that are attracted by the space, and how those user <br /> groups relate to one another. Consequently, the user groups that are predominantly attracted to a <br /> public space, whether it's teenagers, homeless individuals, drug dealers, bankers, attorneys, or <br /> families may result in the practical (intentional or unintentional) exclusion of the other. From a <br /> theoretical point of view, the urban planner designs a space that is public and inviting to all. <br /> 38 <br />