Part of this intersection is rectilinear, but the near half is not. The street in which the photographer is standing widens behind him, which probably means that there are actually two streets (or more) coming in from behind the photographer. In addition, there is a jog on the left, which opens this area up by a fairly small but critical amount. Think how this area would appear if the buildings on the left were moved forward until they lined up with the buildings in the distance. This area is actually right on the edge of becoming a square, and its name indicates that people actually consider it as such.
This area seems to be built mostly to a height of three stories. This is what marks this as a small provincial city. Larger cities are four stories, and Paris was mostly five and six stories (which was a long climb before elevators). Three stories is friendlier than more but limits the total density that can be achieved. I think the outer areas of carfree cities can be built a three stories, especially if the inner areas are built to five stories. The contrast is interesting and also provides more information about the nature of the neighborhood. Notice the good buildings on both corners facing the camera. They have been provided with railings and apparently narrow balconies.
|
 Next City Design Home
E-mail |