Genius of the European Square
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by
Suzanne H. Crowhurst Lennard
Henry L. Lennard
240 pages; 228 illustrations
ISBN 978-0-935824-11-7 (paper)
Order - Genius of the European Square
No one has studied the European square more thoughtfully and thoroughly that Suzanne and Henry. This work will be of invaluable benefit to every city and to places yet to be designed and developed.
Joseph P. Riley Jr. Mayor, City of Charleston
This book will be most useful, in the university schools of town planning and architecture, in the offices of architects and town planners, and also in the houses of people who appreciate the creations of human skill and social wisdom. Everybody will appreciate and learn from the European squares clearly explained, and gracefully presented and illustrated.
Professor Edoardo Salzano
Former Deputy Mayor, City of Venice
Table of Contents:
Introduction
PART ONE. Genius of the European Square
1. A UNIQUE INVENTION
- A uniquely European invention.
- Genius loci.
- The significance of the European square.
- The European square today.
- The square under threat
2. SOCIAL LIFE ON THE SQUARE
- Improvisation.
- Sociability and well-being
- Dialogue on the square.
- Democratic dialogue, civic engagement.
- Encounters in multiple roles.
- The European square as teacher.
- The square under threat
3. THE INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY
- Catalyst for festivity and celebration.
- Observing public life.
- Visibility.
- Ethics of the European square.
4. CATALYST FOR DEMOCRACY
- The ancient agora and the invention of democracy.
- The Roman forum.
- The Dark Ages.
- Reinvention of the market square in the Middle Ages and the rebirth of civic democracy.
- Evolution of the European square and the waning of civic democracy.
- The process of democratic dialogue and civic engagement.
5. FRAMING SOCIAL LIFE
- Visual enclosure, continuous building walls.
- Threshold experience.
- Human scale.
- Facades.
- Architectural backdrop.
- Architectural identity.
- Arcades.
- Shape of the square
- Composition
- Size
6. BUILDING USES, URBAN FABRIC
- Building uses
- Mixed use: the shop/house.
- Civic and religious buildings.
- Cafes and restaurants.
- Surrounding urban fabric
- Fine textured continuous building blocks.
- Compact structure.
- Mix of uses.
- Residential population.
- Crossing of pedestrian ways.
7. A HOSPITABLE SETTING
- Seating, formal and informal.
- Changes in level, steps, balconies.
- Focal points, anchors.
- Public art.
- Sun and shelter from elements.
- Paving for pedestrians.
8. POLICIES TO ENHANCE SPIRIT OF PLACE
- Transportation policy
- Traffic-free or traffic-tamed.
- Parking.
- Access by public transit.
- Pedestrian and bicycle access
- Urban space management
- Farmers' markets.
- Street entertainers.
- Community festivals and celebrations.
PART TWO. Celebrating European Squares
9. PIAZZA SAN MARCO, VENICE. Stage set and drama
- Stage set.
- Daily rhythm.
- Seasonal patterns.
- Festivals.
- Evolution of Piazza San Marco.
10. THE VENETIAN CAMPO. Ideal setting for social life and community
- Campo Santa Margherita.
- Campo San Barnaba.
- Campo San Luca and Campo San Bartolomeo
11. PIAZZA IL CAMPO, SIENA. Celebrating civic democracy
- Palio.
- Significance of the Piazza.
12. PIAZZA DELLE ERBE, PIAZZA DELLE FRUTTA, PIAZZA DEI SIGNORI, PADOVA. Market squares for civic dialogue
- Piazza delle Erbe.
- Piazza delle Frutta.
- Piazza dei Signori.
- Significance of Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza delle Frutta
13. PIAZZA DEL POPOLO, ASCOLI PICENO. The passeggiata lives.
- Quintana festival
- Carnival.
- Significance of the piazza.
14. GROTE MARKT, HANDSCHOEN MARKT, ANTWERP. Reviving the heart of a great city.
- Grote Markt.
- Handschoen Markt.
- Groenplaats.
- Hendrik Conscienceplein.
- The heart of the city revived.
15. GROTE MARKT AND THE BURG, BRUGES. Civic stage or tourist attraction?
- Grote Markt.
- The Burg.
- T'Zand.
- Historical perspective.
16. STRASBOURG'S PLACES. Crossroads of Europe
- A wealth of squares.
- Place Kléber.
- Place Gutenberg.
- Place de la Cathédral.
- Marché-aux-Cochons-de-Lait.
- The crossroads of Europe.
17. PLACES IN AIX-EN-PROVENCE. Settings for markets, students, tourists and the arts.
- Place de l’Hôtel de Ville.
- Place Richelme.
- Place des Cardeurs.
- Place des Prêcheurs.
- Place de Verdun.
- Cours Mirabeau.
- Historic background.
18. MÜNSTERPLATZ, FREIBURG. A vibrant marketplace
- Freiburg's farmers' market.
- Social life on Münsterplatz.
- Münsterplatz.
- Rathausplatz.
- Augustinerplatz.
- Historical background.
- Freiburg after WW II
- Regional planning and the healthy city.
19. MARKT, HILDESHEIM. A square reborn
- The story.
- Town Hall.
- Temple House.
- Wedekind House.
- Lünzel House and Roland Endowed House.
- Bakers' Guildhall.
- Town Tavern, Rococo House and Wool Weavers' Guild House.
- Social life on the marketplace.
- The architects' evaluation.
- Who should judge?
20. SALZBURG'S SQUARES. Vision of the ideal city
- Universitätsplatz
- Alte Markt.
- Residenzplatz.
- Mozartplatz.
- Kapitalplatz.
- Domplatz.
- Evolution of Salzburg's squares.
21. PLAZA MAYOR, SALAMANCA. Sumptuous soul of the city.
- Daily life on Plaza Mayor.
- Construction of Plaza Mayor.
- Evolution of Plaza Mayor.
22. OLD TOWN SQUARE, PRAGUE. A square that lost its functions.
- Staroměstské Náměsti.
- Loss of market functions.
- Loss of civic functions.
- Loss of community functions.
- Business on the square.
- Growth of tourism.
- The significance of Staroměstské Náměsti.
- Historical background.
- Old Town Square and tourism.
23. UPPER SQUARE AND LOWER SQUARE, OLOMOUC. Civic salon and marketplace.
- Upper square.
- Lower square.
- Surrounding urban fabric.
- Historical background.
24. MASARYK SQUARE, JIHLAVA. Architectural aesthetics vs. economic function.
- Functions of the square.
- Architectural intrusion.
- Balancing economic and social functions.
- Historical background.
25. MAIN SQUARE, KRAKOW. A magnificently restored square.
- Social life on the square.
- Rynek Glowny (Main Square).
- Events and activities on the square.
- The challenge of tourism.
- Modern commercial development.
- Historical background.
PART THREE. Evaluating the Square Today
26. DANGERS TO THE EUROPEAN SQUARE
- Uncontrolled commercial development at the city’s periphery.
- Loss of residential population in the city center.
- Inappropriate architecture.
- Encroachment.
- Parking.
- Specialization of building uses.
- Mass tourism.
- Mass media events.
- Commercialization of community festivals.
- Protect the European square.
27. LEARNING FROM THE EUROPEAN SQUARE.
- America's heritage.
- The Law of the Indies.
- Village green, marketplace and main square.
- Adaptation and decline of the public square.
- Designing a European style, multi-functional square.
- Reviving America's main squares.
- New neighborhood squares.
- Reviving community and civic engagement.