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GREAT PUBLIC SPACES: Plateia Iroon, Square of the Heroes (Psiri, Athens)

By jchao on Apr 15, 2009 | 1 Comment

What: A square in the Psiri neighborhood located in the older section of Athens, Greece.

Why it Works: This area is for the explorer. Walking through the area known as Psiri in the daytime is deceiving. Streets are filled with working class people and this former leather craftsman district contains a variety of shops [...]

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GREAT PUBLIC SPACES: The English Market (Cork City, Ireland)

By Craig Raphael on Apr 8, 2009 | Add Comment

What: A covered market for fish, fruit, meat and vegetables.

Why it Works: The English market is a Cork institution. The current building dates back to 1786 and is quite impressive. The colors, flavors and smells are unforgettable, and so are the characters. People gather and friends meet in the main hall or in [...]

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GREAT PUBLIC SPACES: West Side Market (Cleveland, OH)

By jchao on Apr 1, 2009 | 1 Comment

What: A public market that draws customers from the greater Cleveland area.

Why it Works:

Built in 1902, this market’s European ambiance helps draw shoppers from the greater Cleveland area. The market is home to over 120 tenants selling produce, meats, bakery, fish, spices, sauces, and some prepared food. 2002 marks the 90th anniversary [...]

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GREAT PUBLIC SPACES: Senate Square (Helsinki, Finland)

By Brian Geraghty on Mar 25, 2009 | Add Comment

What: Helsinki’s main town square serves as a concert venue, a meeting place, a place to people watch and a reminder of the state’s history.

Why it Works:

Senate Square has been the main square of Helsinki since the 17th century. It was transformed into its current form in the early 19th century, when Russian [...]

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GREAT PUBLIC SPACES: Pirates Alley, (New Orleans, Louisiana)

By Brian Geraghty on Mar 17, 2009 | 1 Comment

What: A pedestrian walkway between historic buildings, The Saint Louis Cathedral and the Cabildo.

Why it Works: Pirates Alley is a cobblestone pedestrian walkway about one city block long that was once an old street between the Cabildo, or Spanish Government House and the Saint Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. Historically [...]

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GREAT PUBLIC SPACES: Jardin Des Plantes (Paris, France)

By Brian Geraghty on Feb 25, 2009 | 2 Comments

What: A park with rose gardens and a greenhouse.

Why it Works:

Located in the culturally stimulating Latin Quarter of Paris, Jardin des Plantes is a hidden gem of a park, containing a spacious and well-plotted rose garden, as well as a very large tropical greenhouse. This is the type [...]

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GREAT PUBLIC SPACES: Ver-o-peso Market (Belém do Pará, Brazil)

By Brian Geraghty on Feb 24, 2009 | Add Comment
What: A permanent market on the Amazon River with over 2000 tents.

Why it Works: An amazing market by the Amazon River. The market has more than 2000 tents. It is a historical site, and was recently renewed. Located in the city center, the market is densely occupied with friendly people and local products. The [...]

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GREAT PUBLIC SPACES: East Carson Street, (Pittsburgh, PA)

By Brian Geraghty on Feb 10, 2009 | 2 Comments

What: It is Pittsburgh’s version of the East Village in NYC. An awesome main street with tons to do and see.

Why it Works: The main part of South Side’s Carson Street is 21 blocks of everything you ever could want in your neighborhood. It is a truly urban setting that has dozens [...]

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GREAT PUBLIC SPACES: Circular Quay (Sydney, Australia)

By Craig Raphael on Jan 21, 2009 | 1 Comment

What: A downtown waterfront with restaurants, shops, sightseeing and plenty of pedestrian space.

Why it Works:

One end of the Quay connects to Jorn Utzon’s famed Sydney Opera House, and the other with The Rocks, an area that constitutes Sydney’s historic “original village.” The eastern end of the promenade leads into the Royal Botanic Gardens [...]

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Winter Cities: Happy December in Ljubljana, Slovenia

By Ethan Kent on Jan 9, 2009 | 2 Comments

Temperatures average below freezing during the darkest month of the year in Slovenia.  However, the country’s public spaces are overflowing thanks to a government program called “Happy December,” designed to infuse life into downtowns.

Several concerts take place each day in [...]

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GREAT PUBLIC SPACES: Adams Morgan (Washington, DC)

By Brian Geraghty on Jan 7, 2009 | Add Comment

What: A Washington, DC neighborhood that caters to the pedestrian.

Why it Works:

Vivacious. Georgetown may be more famous, but city-dwellers know the real place to be is Adams Morgan. It’s hip but not yuppified, diverse but not preachy, safe but still gritty, cool but not uppity, and fun but not taken [...]

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GREAT PUBLIC SPACES: Brooklyn Heights Promenade (Brooklyn, NY)

By Brian Geraghty on Dec 17, 2008 | 2 Comments

What: A promenade extending about five blocks from Remsen St to Orange St along the East River.

Why it Works:

This exclusively pedestrian walkway offers majestic views of downtown Manhattan, the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge. Lined with flowerbeds, playgrounds, and two rows of benches, the park is a favorite destination for joggers, walkers [...]

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