Genius of the European Square - 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.