Squares as Intersections

Virtually all squares are intersections, and most have at least four streets leading away from them, some many more. In fact, the more streets that can be brought into a square, the higher the level of foot traffic that can be expected.

In some squares, however, the circulation function takes precedence over the social function, leading to a square that is really more an extensive intersection than a true square. The critical point is the amount of the square that is given over to pedestrians. In the ideal square, it is 100%.

Another important point is the relative width of the incoming streets and the square itself. When, as in some case we will see, the square is no larger than necessary to accommodate broad incoming streets, we are looking at an intersection. In other cases, there may be quite a lot of vehicular traffic arriving via narrow streets; in these cases, there may still be a real square, despite its function as an intersection.

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