Public Space

Christopher Hume looks at the welcoming power of benches in seating-heavy Montreal, and argues that other cities need to take the simple step of planting more benches to make urban areas more lively and attractive.

Prague is building on prosperity and tourism by creating new public-private spaces for shopping and entertainment. Detractors are concerned that they are destroying real public space, and are paired with greater control on unwanted users.

Public plazas have been cropping up along Broadway and Madison Square in New York, occupying spaces that were once traffic lanes.

An obscure law in Texas outlawing buildings on public beachfront could be invoked to seize hundreds of properties. Hurricane Ike has pushed the tide line closer to many homes, making them subject to the law even if they weren't damaged.

Civic leaders in Indianapolis are considering closing Monument Circle to traffic. Says one, "From a European perspective, this could be one of the great public spaces in America."

A new study has found that almost 30% of the public space in New York's financial district has limited access or is completely closed to the public.

Across the country, the billboard industry is fighting to prohibit tree planting on public spaces that might block their billboards.

New London, Connecticut, like many victims of the 1970s, was saddled with a harsh, ineffective public plaza at the heart of its downtown. Planners are working to return the plaza to its historic form.

Broad redevelopment plans have been approved for Seattle Center, the public gathering place first built in 1962 for the World's Fair.