PUBLIC SPACE LAB INTERN — FIELD RESEARCH & ATLAS VALIDATION

About the Public Space Living Lab

How much public space does a city really have, and who actually gets access to it?

The ISCM Public Space Living Lab is building the tools to answer that question. Through spatial analysis, research, and design, the Lab works with cities to uncover inequalities in public space distribution and support more equitable urban development.This year, we are developing a Public Space Atlas and interactive digital platform that will map, measure, and visualize public space across the city, revealing where deficits exist and whether future plans are addressing them. As the Atlas moves into its field validation phase, the Lab is conducting site visits and community engagement activities to verify mapped information, confirm classifications, and ensure that the Atlas reflects conditions on the ground.

You will be part of a small, focused team helping build one of the first comprehensive public space inventories of its kind in Vietnam.

Role Overview

This internship supports the development of the Public Space Atlas and the Public Space Intelligence Platform:

• Field verification of recreational spaces
• Validation of public space classifications
• Community-based data verification
• Improvement of Atlas data quality and accuracy

• Traveling opportunities depending on project locations

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct site visits to recreational spaces identified through GIS and secondary data sources
• Verify the location, boundaries, accessibility, and physical characteristics of public spaces
• Assess whether sites meet the criteria established in the PSL Public Space Classification Framework
• Document site conditions through photographs and structured field notes
• Conduct brief conversations with residents, local businesses, and users to validate information
• Identify discrepancies between mapped information and on-site conditions
• Support the updating and improvement of Atlas datasets

Profile-Specific Tasks

• Verify the classification of assigned recreational spaces
• Assess whether spaces fulfill the characteristics of public recreational spaces
• Validate information regarding accessibility and public use
• Document inconsistencies, missing information, or potential reclassifications
• Compare community knowledge with existing Atlas records
• Contribute to the development of site validation sheets and Atlas documentation

Qualifications
• Strong interest in cities, public space, and urban research
• Strong observation and analytical skills
• Attention to detail and ability to work systematically
• Comfortable interacting with community members and conducting fieldwork
• Ability to think critically and question assumptions
• Ability to synthesize qualitative information into clear findings

Preferred

• Experience conducting surveys, interviews, or field research
• Familiarity with maps, GIS, or spatial data
• Interest in urban planning, public space, or community development

What You Will Gain

• Hands-on experience in developing a city-scale Public Space Atlas and digital platform
• Exposure to field-based urban research methodologies
• Experience validating and improving urban datasets through ground-truthing
• Opportunity to contribute to evidence-based planning and public space investment decisions
• Mentorship and guidance from the Public Space Living Lab team
• A certificate of completion upon successful participation in the programme
• Access to a growing professional network, including academic and professional opportunities
• Portfolio development based on real-world urban research and Atlas development