Making Downtown Voids Into Public Spaces

Does the existence of the "European City" depend on allowing it to be "Americanized?"

1 minute read

July 16, 2002, 11:00 AM PDT

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech


This article puts forward the proposition that if we want to learn from the current tendency towards displacement of public space by gigantic private-investment projects, such as mega-malls and multi-themed centres, we have to realise that the continued existence of the European City depends on allowing it to become 'Americanised'. A provocative proposition indeed. "

Thanks to Nandita Godbole

Friday, October 7, 2005 in Topos

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

The Chicago Avenue Bridge when it was open, a dark red bridge in front of downtown.

Chicago Avenue bridge construction delays enrages city leaders

The bridge has been closed since 2025. The city originally aimed to re-open it in December, and now expects to finish construction in 2027.

November 1 - Block Club Chicago

People walk to a bus in Queens

NYC bus network redesign speeds up Queens buses

Rush routes have seen a 4.6% speed increase after the redesign.

November 1 - Mass Transit

A rendering of the California high speed rail Fresno station. Two escalators leading into the station are visible.

California High-Speed Rail Authority picks trainset manufacturer

The California High-Speed Rail Authority aims to start servicing passengers by 2033.

November 1 - Railway News