Pereira, Maria Madalena
_Abstract: One of the greatest challenges that currently architects, engineers and landscape architects have to face is related to the sustainability of their intervention in the public space and to their contribution to improve the quality of life in twons. This requires respecting the environment, providing social equity and promoting economic development. Given the current economic system and the cultural habits of society, it is extremely important that there is a methodological process of intervention in the renewal of public squares in view of the sustainable use of space. This thesis aims at examine the criteria that lead to the sustainability of public squares and at applying them to architectonic practice.