The aim of this paper is to present a conceptual framework about public spaces, integrating it with contributions from the heritage landscape approach, understanding such landscapes through their testimonial, contextual, and processual dimensions, as well as the description of analytical phases that can be replicated within the public space of a city, considering their physical, social, political and symbolic nature. This perspective takes the view of a complete and complex event applicable to public spaces in general, although it focuses on salient cases in terms of their singularity or emerging character. The article concludes by reviewing the concepts of authenticity and integrity as applied to public spaces, as an operational approach to developing a comprehensive understanding of such public spaces, as well as defining strategies and decision-making.