Ethan Kent of the Project for Public Spaces said that public spaces were included on the Habitat III New Urban Agenda, the document that sets forth a path for thinking about the 21st-century city. Nov 14, 2020 The Place Coworking Hub North America / Mexico / Mexico City The Place is a site, a space with life for you, a space where you can feel inspired and motivated. The place is thought and designed for. Half a dozen of our little spaces could fit on each side of today's field. Our youngest boys, yet too young to join the team, have no respect for the game going on the field. They use the same field for their own amusement, hustling off when the action gets too close or when the crowd chastises enough them to move away. “I love this space because it can accommodate a variety of uses in the most straightforward ways,” says Pieprz. “There are fixed components, like raised planters with seats, a variety of paving materials and colors, and installations in the form of brightly colored canvas roofs, strung from trees, slicing through the space. First, a little history. In the early 16th century, the people living in New Spain (now Mexico) began to hear rumors of the “Seven Golden Cities of Cibola” located in the deserts hundreds of miles to the north. The legend told that these cities held vast amounts of wealth just waiting to be claimed by Continue reading 'Coronado Springs Resort — Part One'.
How do you judge a public space? Is the prototypical, windswept plaza—a winner perhaps of countless design awards—a failure if it’s always empty? Or the row of food trucks parked on a sidestreet a success because it’s always teeming with life (and the wafting plumes of barbecue)? I’d argue that people always vote with their feet: spaces intended to be gathering places should be just that. Unlike evaluations of art and architecture, there’s nothing subjective about public space. Either a crowd shows or it doesn’t.
And contrary to the best laid plans of mice and men (and landscape architects and urban designers), the public uses space in unpredictable and ingenious ways. The best urban places are often self-designed, semi-blank slates with a lot of room around the edges for civic improvisation. No where is this phenomenon more apparent than Mexico City, a teeming metropolis famous for active public spaces and DIY-urbanism. Plaza Ciudadela, a public square located next to the Biblioteca de Mexico, is a bustling case-in- point.
“It’s actually two squares, bisected by a road,” says Dennis Pieprz, a design principal at Sasaki Associates. “They are quite ordinary places.” It’s true. Plaza Ciudadela won’t win any design awards, but it accomplishes something far more important: it draws a crowd of all ages, from children and their parents and grandparents, earlier in the day, to trolling singles, as the sun sets and the volume of the music swells. Pieprz explains the square’s unique appeal. —Martin C. Pedersen
“I love this space because it can accommodate a variety of uses in the most straightforward ways,” says Pieprz. “There are fixed components, like raised planters with seats, a variety of paving materials and colors, and installations in the form of brightly colored canvas roofs, strung from trees, slicing through the space. They set up temporary restaurants, cafes and stalls. Once I even saw a fully operational hairdressing salon, all in about 4-by-8-feet.”
“Dressed in their finest, these four sit on their chairs as if they are attending a great civic event. And I suppose in a sense they are. Moments before the man and woman had been dancing an elegant waltz to a powerful boom box resting on a nearby table.”
“Saturday dancing is a tradition in this square. On the day of the event, a series of special spaces, almost separate stages, emerge as settings for dancing. Here, between the floor and the floating, fluttering roof, the couple appears to be nestled in their own temple.”
“The stalls have bright canvas roofs strung over them, in a series of different colors, and the effect of the dappled light filtering through the trees and onto them is remarkably warm and inviting. Each color seems to create a slightly different feeling underneath it.”
All photos by Dennis Pieprz.
Social media has completely changed the way women around the world encourage each other. It's now easier than ever to find a role model and draw inspiration from her life and adventures.
SEE ALSO: These girls are saving the world better than any superheroes could
You can do this every day of the year, but International Women's Day on March 8 presents a special opportunity to search for and connect with women who dedicate themselves to achieving their dreams, fighting for equality and having fun along the way.
If that sounds like time well spent, here are 14 badass women to follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter:
1. Elizabeth Nyamayaro
— Elizabeth Nyamayaro (@e_nyamayaro) February 2, 2016
Nymayaro is the senior advisor to the executive director of UN Women and the head of the UN initiative 'He For She.' She regularly tweets about the #HeForShe campaign, an initiative to enlist men and boys in the fight for women's rights.
2. Lydia Cacho
#JoeBiden leaves Mexico empty handed.They agreed on Guzman Loera's extradition,but no date so far. Typical #MexicanJustice style.
— Lydia Cacho (@lydiacachosi) March 5, 2016
Cacho is a Mexican journalist and author who helped to expose and bring to trial a gang involved with child pornography and sex trafficking. Her tweets are mostly in Spanish, but she occasionally provides commentary on American-based events in English. Cacho has been a crusader for human rights, especially women and children, despite being the target of death threats.
3. Sam Cristoforetti
Domani a #Torino arriva @AstroSamantha. Alle 19 incontro pubblico al Sermig https://t.co/OyIo9xql7lpic.twitter.com/R5F6X4D7KS
— Città di Torino (@twitorino) March 2, 2016
Cristoforetti is a captain in the Italian Air Force. Between November 2014 and June 2015, she spent 199 days in space as a flight engineer aboard the International Space Station. Cristoforetti was the first female and seventh European Space Agency member to complete a long-duration mission in space. While there, she performed two space walks and helped dock two additional spacecraft. Be sure to check out her very active Facebook page.
4. Jade L. D.
A photo posted by Jade. (@jade.l.d) on
Jade L.D.'s Instagram is dedicated to 'the raptors of our world.' Some may find that terrifying, but her devotion to exotic and birds of prey is inspiring. A zookeeper in Australia, she posts beautiful photos with herself and the animals she cares for. Not many people can brag about taking selfies with owls.
5. Carol Rossetti
A photo posted by Carol Rossetti (@carolrossetti88) on
Rosetti is a body positive, feminist artist from Brazil who combines her artwork with activism. Intersectionality is a huge part of the funny comics she writes and illustrates about kids.
6. The Bikerni
The Bikerni isn't just one woman, but hundreds who comprise India's First All-Female Motorcycle Association. The group started with just 11 members, but now has over 800—and some have journeyed through the Himalayas together. Part of their mission is to challenge traditional gender roles.
7. Neda Monem
A photo posted by Neda Monem (@nedamonem) on
Neda is an Iranian journalist whose Instagram chronicles are both pretty and provocative. She combines images of Iranian politics with memorable photos of food, nature and architecture. You can also follower her on Twitter.
8. Sharmeen Obaid
There can be no forgiveness in #honorkillings: First he killed his mother & now his sisters: https://t.co/noqv4DcjVf#pakistan
— Sharmeen Obaid (@sharmeenochinoy) March 3, 2016
A documentarian by trade but an activist on Twitter, Obaid has won Emmys and Oscars for her films on the rights of Pakistani women, including transgender women. She usually retweets topics she is passionate about, ranging from her concern about 'President Trump' to global issues.
9. Kalki Subramaniam
Subramaniam founded the Sahodari Foundation, which promotes the rights of transgender people in India. As a transgender woman, Subramaniam speaks often about gender inequality and empowerment.
10.Sukki Singapora
A photo posted by Sukki Singapora (@sukkisingapora) on
Singapora describes herself as 'Singapore's first burlesque artist,' and her colorful Instagram celebrates the fun in burlesque culture. She's been outspoken for her entire career about what it's like to come from a culture where being open and sex positive is taboo.
11. Philomena Kwao
A photo posted by Philomena Kwao (@philomenakwao) on
Mexico Empty Spaces The Blog Free
You may recognize Kwao from her Torrid or Swimsuitsforall modeling campaigns. Kwao embraces body positivity and natural beauty, using Twitter as a place to support other women, talk about her experience being a dark-skinned, plus-sized model with a shaved head.
12. Jaz O'Hara
A photo posted by Jaz O'Hara | Worldwide Tribe (@theworldwidetribe) on
O'Hara was so moved by the recent Middle Eastern refugee crisis that she decided to go see for herself. The Brit traveled to Calais, France, to a place referred to as 'The Jungle,' where thousands of refugees have set up a makeshift camp between their passage to safety. O'Hara is sharing an insider's look into a world people would not otherwise see.
13. Balqis Alrashed
Mexico Empty Spaces The Blog Example
Alrashed is an artist from Saudi Arabia who posts videos of herself hula hooping in traditional garments. While her blog has not been updated since 2015, her Instagram is where she posts most of her art and some of the videos she's created on YouTube.
14. Mel Roy
A photo posted by Mel Roy (@therealmelroy) on
The Internet fell in love with Roy and her partner, Vanessa, when they posted this photo of themselves comparing baby bumps. Roy continues to post pictures of their family, despite criticism. Her Instagram account is a refreshing celebration of modern motherhood and family.
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