Urban design concept of the day
Pedestrian Plazas
A pedestrian plaza is an urban open space designed for pedestrians to exist in. They help to improve the walkability of an area by giving people a place to exist without any requirements acting as way finding markers, space for small businesses, and a place to meet people. They play a key role in adding in Greenspace and escapes from urban environments to our cities. Plazas differ from parks due to how they focus on being just open space and not a natural space. They have evolved from the town squares and commons of europe and early American cities. Often times they are small taking up a city block or 2 at most and will have shops surrounding them. A small one may be as simple as a closed off alley with seating or it may have public art, a market or many other purposes.
