A grand space in Grand Street, in the city with a grand name, Paris, Ontario

Someone in this tiny town of 9,500 inhabitants had the grand idea to create this open, social space by stealing exactly eight parking spots from Grand Street, the main shopping area. He or she selected a spot at the intersection of the main street and a pedestrian pathway, connecting a larger parking space in front of row of buildings. A couple of benches, some potted bushes and flowers, and there it is– almost a public square. Even on this summer, Sunday afternoon there are few people using it. Many of the square's amenities are missing, and the space is not clearly defined, but obviously it was needed.

Hardly noticeable at first glance, there exist signs indicating that the square is used by the "wrong" people. Two very shy, little stencil designs and a few traces of urban art are immediately targeted by a reprimanding tone: "Please use garbage cans, its your town!" On the other side one more, very serious, street sign with official colours and design states: "No skateboarding".

Is there any way we can guess the next move? Does this look like a chess mach? Can we interpret this chain of urban messages that the square itself is sending as a signal that there are needs in Paris that are not being met?

The square of Alexander the Great

On the corner of Danforth and Logan Avenues, in the middle of Greek town, there exists a small, public space with all the elements of a traditional European square. It seems that traditional habits and needs are still alive, even after a couple of generations. All the services, comforts and resources necessary are there. Let's list them: One monument of Alexander the Great, a significant Greek historical figure; one backdrop with vines, a reminder of the grapevines of the Mediterranean; one fountain with running water, an important sound during summer nights; a few patios where one can have a bite or refreshments; a few quite comfortable benches where people can exchange experiences and ideas; a couple of mature trees to keep cool under that protect from the elements; dozens of people (even at 1 o'clock in the morning) and some visitors from "out-of-town" seen here leaving after a well deserved rest.

An excellent example of how with little effort, a very pleasant urban space can be created when the community is willing to pay attention to the messages sent by their city.