Also, Play does not always mean recreation; sometimes it can mean wonder and engagement.
The focus on designing in this mode goes a long way towards creating spaces of inclusion and enjoyment.
#todayspublicspace
#cities #urbanism
Our streets, for example, are one of our primary public spaces. How might they be more accessible for youths? Not by banning their use for recreation; but, by encouraging their use as a statement that streets can be shared spaces.
#todayspublicspace
#cities #urbanism
Urban Designers need to incorporate play into urbanism. It’s vitally important that our public spaces, especially our streets, be designed for users of all ages.
#todayspublicspace
#cities #urbanism
#detroitupdate
The D’s newest public space opens!
#todayspublicspace
detroitisit.com/ralph-c-wils...
“The street is the most important component of the public realm.”
Allan B. Jacobs
Every street has potential. How we treat pedestrians, cars, trees, and light defines the shared experience. With vision and care, even overlooked streets can become #greatstreets and #todayspublicspace.
Grand Central just replaced all its ads with art. What art can do for spatial experience can’t be underestimated!
The exhibit highlights the "resilience and humanity of the city".
#todayspublicspace #artinpublicspaces
ca.news.yahoo.com/grand-centra...
#NYC I’ve always been intrigued by the existing median spaces along Broadway as public space.
Why would people want to sit there?
I’ve noticed in my travels to New York that they seem to always be in use.
#todayspublicspace #urbanobservations
#imagesofTO
TD (Toronto Dominion) Center.
While many focus on the horizontality of the open space here, I’m always more intrigued by the vertical striations of the building exteriors that pull the eye upward. It’s there that the visual interest of the architect is revealed.
#todayspublicspace
The other day on my walk I noticed this charming little exterior space adjacent to the historic old town hall. Intimate, yet open, secluded yet accessible.
It’s one of those little urban moments that you can’t always plan for, but should always accommodate for.
#todayspublicspace #walkerville
The sights and sounds of a public space can be just as important as the space itself.
The sensory aspects can inform our impression of whether a space works or not.
It can turn a transitional space into a gathering spot.
It can turn a dead end into a destination.
#todayspublicspace
Clarendon Court.
ByWard Market. Ottawa.
I’ve always enjoyed this space and the architecture of the building that surrounds it.
The scale of the space, the permanence of the materials, and the sense of history that it imbues, make it a great example for #todayspublicspace .
#urbanobservations
#todayspublicspace
Which cities have the best green spaces? The image below is from the Detroit Mayor’s Land Use Task Force Masterplan where I was one of the team members setting a long term framework for land use, in this case green space, throughout the city.
www.fatherly.com/news/12-best...
#toronto St. Lawrence Market North Building opens. While not as grand an expression on the interior as the historic market to the south, it’s still an impressive place, worthy of being #todayspublicspace . Of course, being an architect, I’m immediately drawn to the details of the structure!
As I carted the garbage out to the front, instead of the rear, for the first time in 30 years, yesterday, it got me thinking about all the talk just a few years about the potential for our alleys to become much-needed, supplemental public space. Is it still a relevant discussion? #todayspublicspace
We often think of main streets as just as elements of small town downtowns, but main streets anchor our neighborhoods, specialized districts, and commercial corridors also.
#todaysmainstreet comes in different scales and characters, providing the spine for resilient communities. #todayspublicspace
The design of our primary NA public spaces, streets, is the fastest way to a safer more equitable public realm.
Reimagining Fifth Ave- a focus on pedestrians aims to address its heavy foot traffic and its spatial inefficiencies.
#todayspublicspace #nyc
sustainabilitymag.com/articles/sus...
#Thanksgiving in the D highlights that #Events can shape our appreciation of our streets as public spaces.
#americasthanksgivingday Parade!
The Lions annual Thanksgiving Day game!
Skaters in Campus Martius!
The Holiday Market!
Always a blessed day!
#todayspublicspace
#todayspublicspace Corner Stores. I’ve been thinking more about the role they could play as community meeting place, beyond its primary utilitarian function. Happens still along country roads, not so in urban ‘hoods. A way to breathe in new life/purpose, whether old or new structures. #thirdplaces
