Historic centres are undergoing a series of urban transformations as a consequence of
the processes of touristification, and they are mainly located in pedestrianised public spaces. The
consequences of the touristification of public space are manifested in its privatisation via the occupation
of catering locals and changes to the uses of adjacent buildings. Recent literature has studied
the touristification of the neighbourhood unit in an exhaustive way, but it has only studied specific
variables of the public space unit. Therefore, an exhaustive study is needed to bring these variables
together regarding the public space unit. This study proposes a methodology for categorising public
space in terms of use, with the aim of identifying different patterns of activities with respect to
touristification. To this end, a system of use indicators is defined according to the public space and
adjacent buildings. This methodology has been tested in the Historic Centre of Malaga, analysing
a sample of 54 public spaces and categorising them into five different patterns. This categorisation
could facilitate the planning and regulation by local administrations of activities in the public space
of the Historic Centre.
