What's the difference between public space and public place

[adenfzn]

Could you please explain to me the difference between these sentences?

 

[Rover_KE]

They are not sentences—they're phases.

If you put theses phrases into proper sentences we will be able to help you.
.

 

[adenfzn]

They are not sentences—they're phases.

Sorry, I didn't know about that.

If you put theses phrases into proper sentences we will be able to help you.
.

So could you explain to me the difference between these phrases?
Because I've translated them to my native language and they have the same meaning.

 

[bubbha]

They're phrases, not phases.

Could you provide the context that these phrases are used in? Thank you!

 

[adenfzn]

They're phrases, not phases.

Could you provide the context that these phrases are used in? Thank you!

1. Smoking in public places
2. Smoking in public spaces

 

[Raymott]

They mean essentially the same thing.

 

[J&K Tutoring]

A public place is a place where anyone can go: a train station, supermarket, park, street, etc.

Public space is a bit harder to define. Mostly I think of public space as opposed to private space.

a. In Chicago, Northwestern Station is a building for boarding commuter trains. It is a public place. Smoking is not allowed inside the station.

b. Inside the station is a glassed-in room for smoking. I suppose that could be called a public space.

c. Each person and each culture has what is known as private space- the space inside which one does not feel comfortable allowing strangers. Westerners tend to feel crowded more easily than Asians do. It happens to me sometimes when I am waiting to board a bus. I allow what I think is a bit of space between me and the person in front of me, but often another person will step into that space. I may consider that action a bit rude, but the Chinese person who stepped ahead of me may simply think I'm a bit stupid for not moving up. With that understanding of private space, anything outside of that might be considered as public space.

d. I live in one building of an apartment complex. To reach my apartment (a private space) one must first pass a gate to get inside the complex. Anyone who lives in any of the buildings can reach this public space, but not anyone at all can wander in off the street. Also, the spaces inside the building, but not inside any particular apartment, can be considered public space: entryway, stairs, hallway, mail room, laundry room, etc.

 

[Raymott]

Yes, it's easier to explain private spaces or safe spaces or personal spaces. "Public spaces/places" is more difficult, and I don't think that distinction is made as often.

 

[Phaedrus]

When I am in public, I often need to find a place to park, and am relieved when I find a parking space.

 

[Skrej]

I tend to think of public 'spaces' as some kind of large-ish open area, such as a park, zoo, sculpture garden, etc. - emphasis on the 'space' concept, and open-air.

Whereas a public 'place' can be used to describe any non-private location. So public 'spaces' are public 'places', but for example I wouldn't personally consider my public library as a public 'space', just a public 'place'.

That's probably just my personal pedantry, though.

 

[jutfrank]

For me, the difference is something like this:

A public place is non-private. This is essentially about legal ownership. There are certain associated rights and laws.

A public space is about sharing. It's a dedicated area where people can do things. Unlike a public place, this could conceivably be a non-physical space, such as can exist online. It's a more abstract concept.