Urban Steps: Study Of The Step-shaped Public Space Connecting Different Urban Levels

Steps are playing a key role to form urban public space, because they are very important to enhance the vitality of environment.The study of urban steps in this paper includes three parts. The first part is the study of history of urban steps, summarizing the development process of form and function of steps. The second part is the theoretical study of urban steps, mainly including the properties of urban steps and the relationship among the steps, human and urban environment, such as the characteristics of urban steps, the spirit of place and urban function. The third part is to discuss the way of urban steps design. The main point is how the urban steps, as a kind of public space, be able to play a positive role in the city, and enhance the vitality of urban public space.In this case, steps are not only an element of architecture or environment, but also a trigger of many kinds of public activities which are irreplaceable factor composing the urban public space. Therefore, in modern urban design, the architects and urban designers should pay more attention in the design of urban steps, making which more valuable in our city.