For a bit of NYC history, back in the '60s POPS (Privately Owned Public Space) came into being as part of the new zoning laws. They gave higher density allowance to commercial properties which provided public space, leading to many of the plazas one may be familiar with today in the city. Of course, architects, sociologists, and others have observed that many facilities provided under the program failed to attain what I'll just call an inviting atmosphere; that is, whether deliberately or not, many so-called public plazas and parks were designed out of the normal flow of things so that many simply didn't know that they existed. Part of the requirement is to have a clear sign indicating that the space is public, though many are obscured, unmaintained by plants, grime, or columns.
These kinds of initiatives (tax breaks for social benefit) have supporters from all areas and so as time goes on it's interesting to see them put to the test and be continuously improved– or at least worked on.