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A conflict often occurs between how a place is designed to be used and how people actually use it. Planners may create public spaces that look great on paper but that people do not feel comfortable in and thus tend not to use, or only use for walking and sitting. Sometimes the seemingly least attractive places with the fewest amenities—a bare, dusty field or a low wall next to a busy street—are the most popular. The only way to know what people really want and how well they use a space is to study it. Defining the characteristics of a popular spot can then help in providing feedback to the development of new public spaces and renovation of existing ones. So a colleague and I in Sri Lanka decided to conduct a study of the beach near which we live. The large number and diversity of activities and users (males and females of all ages engaged in all kinds of exercise, play, socializing, and businesses) did not surprise us; what did surprise me is how much the beach is used even during the hottest hours of the day. The release of our study contributed to lively discussion about people’s needs and wishes in terms of public space and the importance of public space in people’s daily lives.