Life Science Journal 2013; 10(3) http://www.lifesciencesite.com http://www.lifesciencesite.com 721 lifesciencej@gmail.com EFFECT OF PUBLIC SPACE ON KNOWLEDGE SHARING Kayode Oloruntoba 1 , Mohd Hisyam Rasidi 2 , Ismail Said 3 1 Doctoral Candidate, 2 Senior Lecturer, 3 Associate Professor, Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia kayodetoba@yahoo.com Abstract: This study investigates the role of the public space in the development of knowledge sharing among the residents of Cyberjaya (science city) Malaysia. Thus, Cyberjaya Malaysia was selected as the study area based on its concept as a technological city that footholds on knowledge sharing towards it knowledge based development. The study adopted validated measuring tools and developed a theoretical framework that link public space utilization with the knowledge sharing determinant factors. Survey questionnaires were administered on the residents in the study area and structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to validate the research framework. The finding indicated that public space utilization demonstrated significant influence on knowledge sharing. [Kayode Oloruntoba, Mohd Hisyam Rasidi, Ismail Said. EFFECT OF PUBLIC SPACE ON KNOWLEDGE SHARING. Life Sci J 2013;10(3):721-729].(ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com 106 Keywords: Public space, Knowledge sharing, Cyberjaya Malaysia, Theoretical framework 1. Introduction Numerousauthors have adjudged public space as an important factor of human neighborhood and physical environment that signify urban beauty and the inhabitant social networkingpotentials (Gehl, 2001; Carmona et al., 2003; Bonilla, 2013). The public space concept can be traced to the Greek notion of Agora and the open Roman forum that were considered as arena of public affairs among residents and the sociology refers to it as spaces for daily social interactions (Tonnelat, 2010).Today, man has begun to realize the unhidden importance of public space in human life particularly the social development aspect. Carmona et al. (2008) averts that a successful public space meets the social need of the society as it intertwined the social economic production requirement (Pasaugallari and Doratli, 2004; Lefebvre, 1991; Lewis, 2012). Public place is a social area within a neighborhood that accesses or reachable for both passive and active activities that provide other public benefits to the residents and others users without undue restriction (Gehl, 2001; Carmona et al., 2008; Cobb, 2011) while private public space is protected and policing by Law having designated restriction for free access (Frug, 1999). Public space provides beyond places for recreational social benefits, it accommodates neutralities and free flow of movement in the urban settings to a quantifiable environmental and economic benefit (Braza, 2003; and Pasaogullari and Doratli, 2004). Carr et al. (1992) explained in their research work on public space that it is primary role rally around the provisions of four major important needs to the users which includes comfort, active and passive engagements with environment, discovery, and relaxation. Public space utilization develops human psychological and social comfort that trigger sense of safety. Carr et al. (1992) defined comfort derived from public space as a function of the duration and time spent in the public space by the users. Relaxation is said to hinge on the natural feelings and experience associated with public space environment, it is capable to relief burden minds. The high priority of about 40% given to open greenery including public spaces for residents‟ social activities in science city physical development that is feasible in Cyberjaya, Malaysia (Rasidi and Shinozaki, 2009) couple with its goal towards effective knowledge sharing (Ergazakis et al., 2006). The aforementioned necessitates Cyberjaya Malaysia as a suitable study area for this research. Thus, this study is part of ongoing doctoral work by the corresponding author. 2. Research Background The advent of the industrial economy to the knowledge based economy as operationalized in science cities has made the industries with applied knowledge in achieving a better product in a quicker way (Drucker, 1993). Science city primarily consists of the industry professionals, the researchers and marketing experts working in various industries and innovation sectors, and research institutes with the idea of exhibiting good knowledge sharing towards knowledge based development (Anttiroiko, 2004). As such, science city (technological city) solely depends on knowledge as a tool for technology development. Knowledge can be viewed as an experience and skill acquired in the span of time (Allee, 1997) and the potentials to act (Sveiby, 1997). Knowledge encompasses principles, instincts, rules, ideas, insights and skills that engendered human actions. It can be described as what we value and have believed in as a result of substantial information