WHAT MAKES A PIAZZA SUCCESSFUL? AMENITIES, ACCOUTREMENTS, LIFESTYLE, SHAPE AND FORM, LIGHT AND ORIENTATION?

摘要

The paradigm in the design of urban open spaces has universally been awarded to the Italians, hence, urban designers from around the world flock each year to this culturally rich peninsula to analyze and enjoy these pockets of la prima qualita. But what are the factors that initiate such a global response? This conundrum of architectural ensembles that reflect the intrinsic ethos of artistic, cultural, economic, geographic, political, societal, and historic values bear a panoply of solutions, yet the reasons for success are definable. The Italian peninsula completely surrounded by one of earth's oldest seas, the mystical Mediterranean; the Latin lifestyle that manifests from this climatic environment; the shape and form of each piazza; and, the orientation of individual urban spaces, constitute the list of factors that explain their success. The amenities, defined as the comfort, attractiveness and pleasantness; and the accoutrements, defined as the fitting out or furnishings and equipment of each place, although they definitely contribute, they are not major reasons for success.