Free place competition entries

 

2008 winner

The Champs Elysees, Paris, France

"Two in three men and three in four women in England don’t get enough exercise, but the good news is that the answer lies on our doorstep. In many environments, the public realm is an asset simply waiting to be discovered. Quality places create not only a framework in which social life can thrive – but places best explored and experienced on foot. With its wide, comfortable and attractive pedestrian ‘boulevards’, the Champs Elysees functions equally well as a pedestrian thoroughfare as it does as a place buzzing with a rich range of activities. With ample space for circulation, a mix of uses, a strong building line accommodating a variety of architectural styles, easy access to the Metro system, ample seating, quality materials and outdoor cafés, this asset realises its maximum value. With its sculpted ‘cubed’ trees softening the environment, reinforcing enclosure and providing shade, it is easy to miss the heavily trafficked route only a few metres away. Its beauty is in its simplicity, creating a memorable place alongside one of Paris’s busiest thoroughfares."

- Stefan Kruczkowski, Urban Designer with South Derbyshire & N.W. Leicestershire Councils

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Runners up

Borough Market, London, UK

 

 

"Hidden under the network of railway lines and a purpose built canopy, the market has an enclosed, intimate feel, balanced with space and light above the crowds provided by the high ceiling."

- Jane Richardson, Dartford

 

 

 

 

 

 

Old Spitalfields Market and Bishops Square, London, UK

 

 

 "The clean lines and contemporary design of modern buildings successfully harmonise with period features. The street pattern is pedestrian friendly and highly permeable with many interwoven routes …"

- Lucy Stewart, London

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Stables Market in Camden, London, UK

 

 

 

 "(The market) is a place lively all day, every day… one can wonder around the market and lose oneself in the dynamic surroundings."

- Clare Healey, North London

  

 

 

 

 

 Neal’s Yard, London, UK

 

"Neal’s Yard, if you can find it, stands out as one of London’s defining spaces. The use of color, the sense of enclosure, the thrill of discovery and the savory smells… create a place that is an urban escape within central London."

- Julia Smachylo, n/k

 

 

 

The Square, Petersfield, UK

 

"The Square feels important but also cosy due to the scale of its space… most important areas of the town can be reached within 5-10min... mixed activities (are) within perimeter buildings. Without the Square Petersfield would not be the town I love living in."

- Ramune P Sanderson (Padlekyte), n/k

 

 

Courtyard, Stockholm, Sweden

 

"Tucked away off a busy street in central Stockholm lays this exquisite courtyard… one’s senses are tantalized and delighted… a place at ease with itself, one of calm, balance, honesty and beauty, completely lacking in glib ostentation or tawdry party tricks."

- Jan Taylor, Whitburn, Tyne & Wear

 

 

 

Main Square, Ravello, Italy

 

"This place transmits a particular feeling of pleasure, safety and being in a community. It is somehow an outdoor home providing those functions that not only are necessary for the social life but also make people proud of their identity and tradition…"

- Luan Deda, Guildford

 

 

Town Square, Wernigerode, Germany

 

"A public space in the town centre, once seen never forgotten! A space that’s a place. A space that has character displayed in its buildings, the materials, form and architectural detailing…"

- Sue Hudson, Edinburgh

 

 

 

 

Byward Market, Ottawa, Canada

"Colonel Byward laid out the market streets in 1826… the streets are unchanged from the original design and in summer the current mix of cars, market stalls and other amenities give the market a constant buzz… a prime destination for residents and tourists alike!"

- Peter Hulme, Ottawa

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Honorable mentions

 Chinese garden in downtown Sydney, Australia

- Brian Lomas of Merseyside, UK

 

Passeio Alegre at Porto, Lisbon

- Marta Ruis Cano of Madrid, Spain

 

Water Tower in Roald Dahl Plass at Cardiff Bay

- Emma Pearce of Shrewbury, UK

 

Presernov trg Square with Tromostovje Triple Bridge

- Matej Niksic of Ljubjana, Slovenia

 

Public square in Westgate Yards

- Rebecca Erbillur of Wakefield, UK

 

Camden Lock in London

- Rebecca Levcovitch of Kingson upon Thames, UK

 

Park Guell in Barcelona, Spain

- Freya Herivel of Nottingham, UK

 

Parc Diderot in La Defense, France

- Mike Davies

 

Bryant Park in New York City, USA

- Christopher Gray of Edinburgh, UK

 

Place DuTertre in Paris, France

- Firouz Abdollahi

 

Devonshire Green in Sheffield

- Caroline Toogood of Stratford, UK

 

Shore in Leith, UK

- Beatrice Nichol of Melrose (Scottish Borders), UK

 

Northern Quarter in Mancester, UK

- Walter Menzies

 

Pedestrian route near Tower Bridge, London

- Jillian Houghton of Southwark, UK

 

Abbey Orchard in Westminster, UK

- Tim Wilson of London, UK

 

Overgate and St Marys Parish Church

- Stewart McNally of East Dunbartonshire, UK

 

Platanos Platea in Samos, Greece

- Joan Rutherford

 

Park under the Manhattan Bridge in Brooklyn, USA

- Ekaterina Lichtenstein of Paris, France

 

Trees traversing path in Berlin, Germany

- Roz Corbett at University College London, UK

 

Central Square in Brindley Place, Birmingham

- Tomasz Bradecki of Poland