ABSTRACT
The redesign of historic squares requires sensitivity, the understanding of their development and the cultural significance that informs the character of the place which is understood by residents and tourists alike. The case studies illustrate how their redesigns can recapture and express the essence of the squares’ historic meaning and sustain their ‘permanence of place’ within their respective cities. Leicester Square also had the additional challenge of creating a design that was robust enough to both continue to attract and withstand high visitor numbers and accommodate the vehicle loading requirements for film premieres. In Crawley the new design needed to reinstate the significance of the square as the heart of the town, while in Lisbon the challenge was how to retain the scale of the Praca do Comercio to fully express the civic importance of the square for this capital city.
