Public spaces should be accessible to all people, law regulates it, and it gives people the right to reside in the town on the same basis. In some parts of the Stora torget in Linköping outdoor cafes and restaurants limit the public space. The purpose of this master thesis is to explore the phenomenon public space and its meaning in the city. In addition, the thesis examines the differences between public and privatized space. The objective is to explain the phenomenon of the public space as well as understand the relationship between physical design and its impact on life in the public sphere. In addition the thesis will provide the municipality of Linköping guidance in the design and planning of Stora torget.The theories used in the thesis are from Gehl, Jacobs, Kärrholm and Madanipour. All of them concern public spaces in some sense and they look at the problems in different views. The results of the analysis of theories and the interviews have been conducted; the conclusion can be established that the private domains of the public sphere are an important element in the public domain, such as outdoor cafes. The majority of respondents are in favour of outdoor cafes, but not their distribution. Due to the lack of some core elements of a public space such as good seating areas the conclusion is that a clearer plan for the design of the square must be established, partly to ensure a good public environment, but also to ensure that Stora torget satisfies the needs of everyone.