Squares : A Public Place Design Guide for Urbanists

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Squares : A Public Place Design Guide for Urbanists

£36.50

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Price in Euros	€43.45
Price in USD	$57.73
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Mark C Childs

Format: Book
Pages: 207
Publisher: Gazelle Book Services
Date Published: Dec 2004
Stock Code: 38343
Binding: Hardback

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Description

Vital public places such as squares, post office steps, playgrounds and street corners are centres of joyful celebration, heartbroken communion, civic discussion or for simply hanging out.

Squares is intended to help designers, planners, public officials, students, developers, and community leaders understand the history and theories of public commons, elicit community dialogue and desires, respond to the natural and built environment, and design compelling places. Mark C. Childs contends that places built to support conviviality are critical components of a good town. He includes theory, brief case studies, and 126 design queries and discussions. These questions range from the general, "How can the life of the community be strengthened by the planning of a civic place?" to the particular, "Is the place delightful on a Tuesday morning?" and "What makes a good place for a rendezvous?"

The author then explores the design implications of the automobile, electronic media, the natural environment, urban furniture and structures, public safety, and public art. Interspersed with Childs's text are brief essays by other authors addressing particular kinds of public spaces including parks, urban beaches, farmers' markets and community gardens.