Interesting that, of all the great urban squares in Paris, they picked the one that is the least friendly to quotidien civic life! It is dismal and difficult to get across or inhabit in any way on foot; it is entirely a car-oriented square with only a marooned island of tourists taking snapshots in the center and is wholly skirted or completely avoided by the actual citizenry (who use and love many of the other squares in the city fabric).
As a staging location, a background for political agitation, yes, Place de la Concorde is ideal; as a square with an active role in actual civic life? Terrible. It even fares worse than the Etoile, which at least can be "inhabited" by way of underground tunnels and has more of a presence in the chaotic fabric of city life (as marker and, for the rare times that a Parisian might actually go there, provider of grand city views)--Place de la Concorde is nothing but a glittering backdrop for history's remembrance.
They should have picked Bastille, which has equal historic weight and timeless meaning to Place de la Concorde but remains a vibrant and vital part of city life to this day (in spite of being almost, but not quite, as difficult to get around!).
A telling point is that many well-used cross-town city bus routes originate or end at Bastille; Place de la Concorde is like a side-trip you would have to specifically choose to stop off at.
There is also a harbor at Bastille making it a particularly intriguing city square as it incorporates massive foot traffic, train and bus traffic, and a connection point to the city's waterways as well. Also it is a hot spot for rollerblading.
Another tell-tale sign of death for Place de la Concorde is the utter absense of cafes, shops, etcetera ringing it... Museum, extremely expensive hotel, US Embassy, and parks. Not the stuff of everyday civic life, that's for sure. Except the park. That's a good one.
Okay, that is enough of my dead horse! Interesting article.
well, if we're going to protest choices of squares: why would they choose temple square in salt lake over, say, jackson square in new orleans?! jackson square remains a hugely successful public space and has been for a couple hundred years.
techno, i've got some analysis of jackson if you need some notes. not sure how big the files are. email me if you're interested.
Feb 5, 08 6:49 am ·
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7 Comments
very interesting read!
great timing - i'm writing concept notes for 5 squares - yippee for me
I love the illustrations of the squares.
Interesting that, of all the great urban squares in Paris, they picked the one that is the least friendly to quotidien civic life! It is dismal and difficult to get across or inhabit in any way on foot; it is entirely a car-oriented square with only a marooned island of tourists taking snapshots in the center and is wholly skirted or completely avoided by the actual citizenry (who use and love many of the other squares in the city fabric).
As a staging location, a background for political agitation, yes, Place de la Concorde is ideal; as a square with an active role in actual civic life? Terrible. It even fares worse than the Etoile, which at least can be "inhabited" by way of underground tunnels and has more of a presence in the chaotic fabric of city life (as marker and, for the rare times that a Parisian might actually go there, provider of grand city views)--Place de la Concorde is nothing but a glittering backdrop for history's remembrance.
They should have picked Bastille, which has equal historic weight and timeless meaning to Place de la Concorde but remains a vibrant and vital part of city life to this day (in spite of being almost, but not quite, as difficult to get around!).
A telling point is that many well-used cross-town city bus routes originate or end at Bastille; Place de la Concorde is like a side-trip you would have to specifically choose to stop off at.
There is also a harbor at Bastille making it a particularly intriguing city square as it incorporates massive foot traffic, train and bus traffic, and a connection point to the city's waterways as well. Also it is a hot spot for rollerblading.
Another tell-tale sign of death for Place de la Concorde is the utter absense of cafes, shops, etcetera ringing it... Museum, extremely expensive hotel, US Embassy, and parks. Not the stuff of everyday civic life, that's for sure. Except the park. That's a good one.
Okay, that is enough of my dead horse! Interesting article.
well, if we're going to protest choices of squares: why would they choose temple square in salt lake over, say, jackson square in new orleans?! jackson square remains a hugely successful public space and has been for a couple hundred years.
techno, i've got some analysis of jackson if you need some notes. not sure how big the files are. email me if you're interested.
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