A square is the name given to that public space that is part of an urban center and that is characterized by being open to the sky, generally surrounded by trees or buildings at a certain distance and by allowing its visitors to carry out various activities, from resting and contemplating the trees sitting on a bench until they do gymnastics and that the children are entertained in their games or running.
In many cases, the square is the center of the city, both physically and in terms of historical importance, since it can be the place where the city was founded, as well as the area where its most important activities take place. (economic, political, administrative, etc.).
Varied shapes and sizes and unique green spaces in big cities
The square can be designed with many different shapes and sizes. While some plazas are extremely spacious, others are smaller and lesser not only in terms of size but also in terms of importance.
There are different forms that the squares can have in the various cities of the world. Undoubtedly, the most common is the quadrangular square that can occupy a block or several. In general, in this type of squares, paths are established from its four corners, which lead to the physical center of the square. There are also elliptical squares like the famous St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. Circular or semicircular squares, as well as irregular ones, are less frequent but equally very special for specific urban objectives.
One of the most important characteristics of a square is undoubtedly the fact that it is one of the few open and green spaces in a city. Although in most cases the squares are surrounded by trees and also made up of plants and abundant vegetation, there are also squares completely empty of natural elements.
Centers for public and common community activities
The squares are generally used for public purposes and common to the entire population, in general, ceremonies, public acts, celebrations, festivities, artistic performances, recreation of the neighbors and others. Being open and public for the transit of any individual, both inhabitant and tourist, these types of events are usually free and in most cases can bring together a large number of people.
Presence of monuments or historical elements linked to its origin
Another issue that we cannot ignore when talking about the composition of the squares is the presence of monuments or historical elements that were decided to be located there due to their connection to some outstanding event in the history of the city where the square is located. National heroes and patriots who fought for the independence of the country are usually the characters that in the form of monuments inhabit the squares.
In Argentina, more precisely in the city of Buenos Aires, Plaza San Martín stands out, which justly honors one of its greatest heroes, General José de San Martín, father of the Nation and Latin American Independence, with an important monument of his figure, aboard a horse, located in the center of the square. As a consequence of this, every anniversary of the death of San Martín is there where most of the tributes congregate.
Continuing in Argentina, we cannot ignore the importance of another square in the city, Plaza de Mayo, a beautiful public space that has trees and benches and that is located in a strategic center of the city and that also has a very long political history. as a center for meeting and concretion of very important events for the country, such is the case of the May Revolution in 1810, the great step towards independence.
The state, responsible for their care and protection
Mentioned the relevance that these public spaces hold at various levels, it is essential that the government administrations to which they correspond take care of their care and protection.
Unfortunately, many times they are the object of the most despicable acts of vandalism, such as graffiti on monuments with offensive legends towards the heroes, destruction of elements that are erected there such as benches, games, lighting, among others.
Because of this situation that was in crescendo is that many squares have daytime security and during the night, in those cases in which an enclosure was placed, they are closed so that nobody can enter.
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