Place Observations

Cataloging Place Characteristics and Experiences

Activity

A Good Pairing: Urban Density and Parks

by Kimberly on category ,

As I made it to France and England on my trip, I noticed that parks and other areas of green space have a more prominent role throughout the cities. I think this is a result of more development in the nineteenth century. Cities started getting bigger and were seen as unhealthy places to be when the industrial revolution started. Parks were developed as a response at the edges of cities. What we think of when we think of city parks started as a designed “rural” area that gave people a break from the built urban environment.

Today, they still perform this function. Although now, they are in the center of urban areas instead of at the edges. Throughout all the walking that I did, it was always nice to come to a park. I was always assured that there would be somewhere to sit and rest. In so many ways it gave a break away from the density and pace of the rest of the urban area.

There is a duality to parks. They are a destination, but within the destination they are made up of many paths and smaller places and destinations. They are planned, but need to be flexible. They are meant to bring nature to the city, but are “tamed” areas.

In Paris, after so much walking, I needed a place to wait until it was time to start another tour.  As I wandered through the Tuileries garden, I found a variety of places to sit. I watched an elementary age group of kids and teacher playing a game. There were tourists and locals. But everyone was taking a minute to have a break from the busy pace of the rest of the city.

In London, I wandered into Kensington Park. It was rainy and cool, but there were people walking home from school, feeding ducks and geese, and sitting and visiting with coffee.  The weather also didn’t stop others from running, biking or soccer practices.  In dense areas, having a place where people can go to get outside – alone or in a group – is important to support culture and the mental and physical well-being of the citizens.

Great urban areas are about balance. Having parks to balance out the built environment and density. And the parks need a balance as well – destination and pathways; events and quiet, planning but flexibility. The pairing of planned green space with a city creates a vibrant and healthy community. Why do you love a city park? Is there one in your town that you love to visit?

Meet Me at the Piazza

by Kimberly on category ,

I have been in Italy now for about a week, and this is a pretty common direction. Every tour I have taken has started at a piazza and you see friends and family and coworkers all coming together at the piazza too. It seems the whole purpose of the piazza in Italy is to come together.

Walking along the streets of Rome, all of a sudden, the narrow streets open up and expand into the piazza. The buildings create an active perimeter to the open area. Looking at the perimeter you can see a variety of services for the neighborhood:  government, religious, or commercial – such as shops and cafes. Activity spills from inside the buildings into the piazza. People crisscross the piazza on their way somewhere. Friends meet at the fountain before going out for dinner. The piazza hums with activity. One of my favorite things to do has been to stop at café in piazza and sit with drink watching this constant hum of activity in front of me.

These flexible multi-purpose areas play an important role in the city, acting as a kind of front porch or lawn for the neighborhood. The absence of buildings in a dense built environment makes these places comfortable to be in – and useful in a way that often a building isn’t. You have a place to stop and rest or wait without being in the flow of other traffic (pedestrian or vehicular). You can see most of the space and catch sight of the person you are meeting. You can just have a moment to pause and feel part of the community.  On top of all of that, the open space is flexible for all types of activities. In my brief time here, I have seen markets, concerts, soccer games, mini tennis courts (as part of a Davis Cup activity), card games, playgrounds, sitting, talking, eating and drinking. Neighbors and strangers all coming together for a rich variety of activity and life.

Many cultures have a similar idea to the Italian Piazza…there are plazas, squares, parks, etc. Each with its own style and local features. But the purpose is the same. As humans we need places where the community can come together for a variety of activities…or just to meet up.

In a world where we are becoming more disconnected locally as we connect globally through technology, I hope we don’t forget the benefit of having great public spaces that act as anchors and meeting spots for our communities.

Is there a place in your town where you come together? What makes it special?

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