A Modern Square through Old and New Lenses

Squares of the Past

The 19th century growth of industrial cities expanded previous scales and boundaries beyond anything seen before. The rapid change was condemned by cultural conservatives who were disappointed by the lack of character within cityscape. Among them, Camillo Sitte criticized the ‘modern’ squares of his time in Central Europe and advocated for a return to enclosed squares. The argument was supported by studying historic squares which formed a proportionate setting, encouraged residents to linger, and even reduced costs of construction by integrating facades together. According to Sitte, urban space should be developed gradually through individual interventions instead of through grand-scheme construction projects.

Sitte’s views had a significant impact on planners who followed German literature. Many Finnish architects, such as Bertel Jung and Lars Sonck, embraced these ideas and incorporated them into their plans. However, traditional squares did not experience a revival in Europe. The fast pace of industrialization and devastation of wars brought a new wave of modernist ideals which turned historical squares into parking lots. Meanwhile a new generation of squares found their place from the pedestrianized zones of shopping centres. Cities sprawled without control and soon there was little room left for Sitte’s artistic reflections.

Squares Today

1960s and 70s criticism for modernist ideals turned the public debate to new direction. Anglo-American writers such as Jane Jacobs, Lewis Mumford, Kevin Lynch, and Christopher Alexander demanded greater attention to urban diversity and identity which hold immense significance for the daily lives of city dwellers. According to them, squares could become key places of attachment, where residents from different areas could share and shape space together.

Diversity and multifunctionality requires acceptance of overlaps and constant change, which has proven to be an immense practical challenge for Finnish urban planning. Although many historical squares have been completely restored to serve growing tourism, new public spaces have not received the same attention. In fact, some of the rare attempts to form enclosed squares have been judged negatively in the media. For instance, Helsingin Sanomat has harshly criticized compact, piazza-like squares of Jätkäsaari neighbourhood. The expectations for squares are high: they are supposed to offer a pleasant green environment and services, yet they must not disrupt the daily lives of local residents or bring excessive financial burdens on taxpayers.

Often the most popular square-ish spaces are found from lobbies of large shopping malls, since they are located at the key nodes of transportation with vast spaces for parking. Development of these multi-story complexes at city centres represents a reaction against earlier trend of suburban malls, which contributed to urban sprawl and prioritized private car use over other forms of mobility. The new urban malls form a unified space under one roof where architectural styles and scales become a mere tool to attract and extract the flow of customers. The design purposefully guides customers inside, not outside the complex which gradually undermines the appeal of surrounding neighbourhoods and their public squares.

The growing role of the private sector in developing and maintaining urban space has raised further concerns. While post-industrial cities were enthusiastically embraced in the 1980s, ongoing gentrification has called the benefits of the process into question. For example, Sharon Zukin argues that the private sector capitalizes the authenticity of urban life which has been built over several decades. Square-like spaces are cleansed of undesirable elements and subjected to constant surveillance to prevent “disruptive behavior” which could push away middle-class consumers. Consequently, it is not enough to only consider the artistic elements of a square, since the result might not recognize the values of the community.

The Future of Squares

Technological advancements have brought us a new kind of “remote square” which offers opportunities for both grassroots initiatives and official communication channels. Smart devices allow urban residents to form nodes at both pre-established squares and unforeseen locations. A user can, for instance, spontaneously gather dozens of people in a physical space never intended for gatherings. Conversely, authorities can exert strict control and monitoring over remote squares to deter any protests, as seen in China and Russia. Some activism is also inconsistently suppressed by the owners of digital platforms who look carefully at their business interests. Still, amid governmental and business pressures, vast grassroot connections evolve and find new ways to circumvent any restrictions. Remote square stays never the same.

The rise of grassroot communication also impacts the usage and management of traditional squares. The popularity of squares—and often the popularity of entire surrounding areas—now depends on the number of likes they receive on Instagram or TikTok. Historical significance may lend nostalgia points, but large crowds are drawn by contemporary trends, unique services, and special events. Squares that fail to keep up with the times may lose their appeal entirely if their vibrancy has relied solely on basic services. Designers must therefore craft compelling narratives for squares, so they resonate with both locals and international visitors.

—-

Ultimately, it appears that the values advocated by Sitte have regained some importance after significant setbacks. Following the turmoil brought by decades of modernism, planners have once again grounded their work in local culture and environment. At the same time, global flows of capital, people and information have generated ‘best principles’ for design of squares worldwide. Squares that serve as focal points for global flows shall thrive, while those left on the sidelines shall wither and fade away.

(translated version of the original text published at Finnish AUKIO-website.)