Field trip from Thursday made us discus major differences between plaza, park and square. While visiting many locations such as Bowling Green, Zuccotti park, Gramercy Park, Times Square, Harold Park etc. we analyzed  what defines a space and how we can classify it. Primarily spaces get defined by their geometry, hierarchy of the buildings, interaction of the buildings, texture (such as pavement) etc.

Major conclusion is to understand what is the  definition for each one (plaza, park, square) and to be able to use it in the next project.

Park: Public space which perimeter is well defined by fences, with seating area, trees, grass  and pavement texture which is clearly different from plaza.

Plaza: open space for gathering, more flexible in movement and circulation, open even at night time.

Square: is a combination of both, park and plaza.

Walking from Bowling Green to Bryant Park has taught me the differences between parks, plazas, and squares. Parks are surrounded with trees and grass, with individual walkways, whereas plazas have more open space to walk. Plaza spaces are more uniform with no border to close off the area. A square has both park and plaza features. Each space has a different texture and feeling. Materials used in each space represented the type of public space it was. The spaces could also be determined by the amount of walkway given to pedestrians. I also observed that we can tell the difference between a park, plaza and square by the type of activity being done in the area.

As we were strolling through the parks, plazas, and Squares, one as a designer is able to recognize the differences between these three public spaces. I noticed that the materials used on the ground surfaces of these spaces gave a feeling about what the space was meant to be for. A plaza usually had tile or more smoother materials, park used grass or pebbled ground, and square had a little of both. Also, it is comforting that the streets are being narrowed down, making more of a pedestrian like setting instead of a vehicular one.

New York City have different places that pedestrians can enjoy. The bowling green is a square surrounded by big buildings which make the place like a close open place. Also, there are other places by the city where there are parks and plaza with more open spaces which are not enclosed like bowling green. Every place has its function to the community.

The use of different materials in bowling green make people feel like they are moving from one place to another even though they are in the same square. While, the use of the same material make people feel like they are in the same place