Blog: Public Spaces

I was surprised by Chiang Mai. It's an old city, dating back to 1296, and consists of an "old city" surrounded by a moat and a wall, with newer areas outside. Therefore, I expected the old city to have pretty, old buildings and dramatic public squares. But that's not the way it is.

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This evening, I met up with a former coworker outside the Google office. We just wanted to chat and catch up, and strolled along looking for a good place to sit. Neither of us wanted a loud, crowded bar or club with expensive drinks, as are common in the Meatpacking District.

And then, as we reached the corner of 14th Street and 9th Avenue, in the middle of the intersection, was a large, triangular plaza full of folding chairs, small tables, outdoor umbrellas, and bushes:

Image via Streetsblog. It was much darker outside but otherwise this is what it looked like.

What is this? Can we really just sit down and enjoy the beautiful weather and the lively city? Yes, it's true: a real public square. We sat and talked and relaxed in this oasis among busy streets. It still feels temporary, but it's a major step.

This is the effect of New York's new, progressive DOT. What was once a huge, crowded intersection with way too many turn lanes has become a space for people. Announced in late June, it opened only three months later. Thanks NYC DOT—you've made one part of Manhattan much more pleasant and enabled an enjoyable few hours this evening.