ABSTRACT

New Life in Public Squares investigates the evolution of the public square within the urban form and its meaning to a city’s image. It explores what is driving investment in the creation of new or re-designed existing squares: the economic and social benefits, city image to attract tourism, investment and attracting major events. Taking a design practitioners perspective, a series of in-depth case studies, including discussions with clients and designers, on an international array of public squares will analyse and the use of public spaces and the impact they have on their immediate surroundings. It shows readers how quality design of public squares can be achieved and, importantly, how they can be delivered to enable positive changes in the way public spaces are used and experienced.

chapter Chapter 1|13 pages

The historic development of the square

chapter Chapter 2|6 pages

A new agenda for public squares

chapter Chapter 3|39 pages

Redesign of historic squares

chapter Case Study 3.1|8 pages

Place Masséna, Nice

chapter Case Study 3.2|8 pages

Praça do Comércio, Lisbon

chapter Case Study 3.3|10 pages

Leicester Square, London

chapter Case Study 3.4|10 pages

Queens Square, Crawley

chapter Chapter 4|25 pages

New squares within an existing urban fabric

chapter Case Study 4.1|8 pages

Place de la République, Paris

chapter Case Study 4.2|6 pages

Israels Plads, Copenhagen

chapter Case Study 4.3|8 pages

Times Square, New York

chapter Chapter 5|29 pages

Squares within new city quarters

chapter Case Study 5.1|8 pages

Granary Square, King’s Cross, London

chapter Case Study 5.2|8 pages

Täby Torg, Täby

chapter Case Study 5.3|10 pages

Aker Brygge – Tjuvholmen, Oslo

chapter Chapter 6|27 pages

New squares that extend the city experience

chapter Case Study 6.1|8 pages

Miroir d’eau / Place de la Bourse, Bordeaux

chapter Case Study 6.2|8 pages

Vieux Port, Marseille

chapter Case Study 6.3|8 pages

Sankt Annæ Plads and Ofelia Plads, Copenhagen

chapter Chapter 7|27 pages

Squares that reconfigure a city’s structure

chapter Case Study 7.1|8 pages

Barcelona

chapter Case Study 7.2|8 pages

Montpellier

chapter Case Study 7.3|8 pages

Leicester

chapter Chapter 8|20 pages

What we have learnt