If public buildings hold up a mirror to our society, what state are we in? Our next edition explores public buildings from lidos to parks to the library, and considers their role in creating liveable and loveable places. Anthropologist Caroline Bennett writes a placetest of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park with new photography by John Sturrock. Sarah Wigglesworth explores the past and future of civic architecture. Laura Mark visits new Amsterdam social housing. Teshome Douglas-Campbell takes in Sidcup's new public library. We'll peak inside markets, urban rooms, new public spaces and question the rise in green gentrification