Jay Walljasper discusses the role of public spaces in recent protests and revolutions from Madison, Wisconsin to Cairo, Egypt.
In a post from Onthecommons.org, Walljasper acknowledges the important role played by social media in recent uprisings in the Middle East; however, Walljasper argues, "a much older form of commons in these revolts has earned scant attention-the public spaces where citizens rally to voice their discontent, show their power and ultimately articulate a new vision for their homelands."
Walljasper cites Cairo's Tahrir Square, Tripoli's Green Square, Bahrain's Pearl Square, and Tehran's Valiasr Square as examples of public places central to each country's uprisings.
To show the universality of the connection he makes between public space and protest, Walljasper also notes the current protests occurring in Madison, Wisconsin. These protests have centered around the state capitol.
The capitol in downtown Madison "was named by Project for Public Spaces as one of the great public spaces of the world." "This is truly the town square that early Americans imagined as the crux of democracy," the PPS website explains.
FULL STORY: From Middle East to Madison, Justice Depends on Public Spaces

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Map: Where Senate Republicans Want to Sell Your Public Lands
For public land advocates, the Senate Republicans’ proposal to sell millions of acres of public land in the West is “the biggest fight of their careers.”

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

Platform Pilsner: Vancouver Transit Agency Releases... a Beer?
TransLink will receive a portion of every sale of the four-pack.

Toronto Weighs Cheaper Transit, Parking Hikes for Major Events
Special event rates would take effect during large festivals, sports games and concerts to ‘discourage driving, manage congestion and free up space for transit.”

Berlin to Consider Car-Free Zone Larger Than Manhattan
The area bound by the 22-mile Ringbahn would still allow 12 uses of a private automobile per year per person, and several other exemptions.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)