Five of the Best Urban Spaces
Creating a functional and beautiful urban space involves the design and coordination of all the things that make up our cities and towns. Buildings, streets, public space and landscape are the elements that have to be considered when designing the ideal urban space. Any development or regeneration work must be carried out in a way that is sympathetic to the existing buildings and landscapes. This is particularly true in conservation areas. Here are five examples from around the world of how to make good use of public spaces.
Puerta Del Sol
The Puerta Del Sol originated as one of the gates in the city wall that surrounded Madrid in the 15th century. It’s located in the very heart of the city. The square is actually almost semi-circular in shape and owes its current form to the major renovation work carried out between 1854 and 1860. All work since has been carried out sensitively allowing the area to maintain its character. Due to its city centre location and stunning architecture the Puerta del Sol is a fine example of how to utilise public spaces.
Princess Street Gardens
Princess Street Gardens is a lovely place to sit in the summer and people-watch whilst overlooked by some of Edinburgh’s most beautiful buildings. Green areas are essential in all large cities and this is one of the finest you’ll find anywhere.
Du Pont Circle
DuPont Circle is a traffic circle, park, neighbourhood, and historic district in Northwest Washington, D.C. At its centre is an elegant marble fountain which currently serves as a popular meeting point for locals and tourists alike. The DuPont Circle utilises the space expertly and has numerous trees planted around an otherwise urban area.
Millennium Park Chicago
Built on a site that was controlled by the Illinois Central Railroad for almost 150 years, Millennium Park is seen by the people of Chicago as the crowning glory of their city. The 24.5 acre Millennium Park is a magnificent modern park with state of the art facilities, unique public artwork and beautiful gardens.
London Olympic Park
Transforming wasteland on London’s East End into an international sports venue was a massive undertaking. From transport to and from the village to ensuring roads and pathways are adequate required planning on a mammoth scale. The resulting Olympic park, with its landscaped wildflower gardens, stands as a monument to the overall success of the games.
Street Furniture has come a long way over the last few years, making communal areas such as squares, parks and streets come to life. Bomax supplies a wide range of Urbastyle Street Furniture.