The Role of the Square in the City

Abstract

From its origins to the present time, the square has been the most representative public space in citizens' lives, a place where the flows intersect, influencing and being influenced by the most relevant social and political transformations. Many city squares in Albania have been reconstructed, remodeled, aestheticised, privatized and commercialized. Their space has been divided and organized to support consumption rather than other forms of public life. These processes have changed not only the appearance of the squares, but also the life that flows on them, have put in doubt the idea of the city as a common good, starting from its main public space. In the light of these changes, arise questions as what character should have the Albanian square, as the main collective memory that forms and gives sense to the city, to make the city competitive in the most advanced levels of creativity and social cohesion. Is important to know what social-cultural profile is creating the city, given the behavior of people in relation to the square as the main public space. To what extent can we perceive these “new” regulated spaces as “public”? To what extent does the city square represent the city of nowadays and the society of our times?