Civic Realism by Peter Rowe
In Civic Realism, Peter Rowe discusses the character of “civic places,” which he distinguishes from other public spaces by pointing out the ways in which they “represent, constitute, and enhance the daily lives of citizens” (6). He also explores how civic places come into existence, emphasizing the interplay between the state and civil society.
Interesting examples from Sienna, Barcelona, Paris, Rome, New York, and Ljubljana appear throughout the book. I found the section on the transformation of “space” into “place” especially interesting, as well as the case study of Jože Plečnik’s work in Ljubljana as an example of ways in which the public domain comes to constitute and represent civic life.