Top ten great public spaces in the US
The American Planning Association has released its top ten list of great public spaces for 2009. #1 is New Haven Green in New Haven, Connecticut, which, it seems, was selected as much for its aesthetics as for its political significance:
General George Washington spoke here during the American Revolution. The Amistad captives were exercised here, Abraham Lincoln gave a presidential campaign speech, and rallies were held during the Vietnam War and civil rights struggles.
More recently, the green has acted as a keystone of the city’s smart growth policy, providing a centerpiece around which to densify development.
Numbers 2 through 10 seem like some pretty beautiful and inspiring places, too.
(via City Parks Blog)
