Squares

Mark C. Childs is assistant professor of architecture and director of the Design and Planning Assistance Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. Childs is also the author of Parking Spaces: A Design, Implementation, and Use Manual for Architects, Planners, and Engineers.

"Childs writes with a special sense of reverence for his subject. Employing an understated, exploratory writing and compositional style, Childs wisely sticks to the timeless basics, but with a keen eye to current needs." "YChilds? offers insight into the design of thriving civic centers through case studies and analyses of dozens of public places, mostly in North America--beachfronts and city plazas and farmers' markets. But the book is more than a guide for urban designers. It is a reminder to anyone who has ever attended a street parade or a festival, protested outside city hall, accomplished a day's worth of errands in one trip, or simply bumped into an old friend or neighbor at the post office that a thriving civic life depends on a thriving civic center." "Childs has created an elegant, easy-to-read, and well-organized traditional planning handbook to help designers, planners, public officials, students, developers and community leaders understand the history and theories of publc spaces. . . . Collectively, "Squares" is a useful reference material for those interested in creating or improving upon open space in their community." "Childs offers an excellent primer for individuals interested in the design of public outdoor space. . . . A thought-provoking work, it whets one's appetite to know about a subject that should be of interest to all. . . . Highly recommended. All levels." ""Squares" is amazingly thoughtful and comprehensive; it could well become the standard source for learning and teaching about squares--one of the most important components of traditional urbanism." "[Childs] offers insight into the design of thriving civic centers through case studies and analyses of dozens of public places, mostly in North America--beachfronts and city plazas and farmers' markets. But the book is more than a guide for urban designers. It is a reminder to anyone who has ever attended a street parade or a festival, protested outside city hall, accomplished a day's worth of errands in one trip, or simply bumped into an old friend or neighbor at the post office that a thriving civic life depends on a thriving civic center."