The Welcome of European Cities and Towns

III. Public Spaces

All of the towns and cities that I visited were filled with public spaces, squares, gardens, parks, etc.  Their purpose was simply to provide a place for people to gather, sit, talk, play. It was a place to soak up culture, beauty, and human interactions without an agenda.  You didn't have to buy anything or participate, or know someone; it was open for everyone's needs.

Garden in front of City Hall

When I was walking by this garden every age group was enjoying the space.  Parents had stopped to let their kids run around, old couples were taking a break in their errands to sit and talk, teenagers were hanging out together with their ice cream.  It was a charming respite in the busy shopping district.

Diana memorial

The memorial had only been open a week when I was there, but already it seemed an accepted part of the park's landscape.  There was something for everyone.  The children could play.  The adults could walk along the water's edge and reflect. 

Old Stockholm square

After walking through the city's narrow streets and numerous shops, we converged on the old center square.  It's a wonderful moment when everything opens up and you can step back for a moment.  All the streets converged on this one square so it was easy for everyone to do their own thing and meet back there. 

Stockholm bench

Even if there wasn't a lot of space, there always seemed to be benches, bus stop covers, or a corner park to stop at.

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