To the rest of world (Europe, Asia, Latin America…), public square is the heart of a city or town. Seems most American cities are “heartless”.

Historical automobile-oriented development in U.S. can explain this phenomenon of lacking public squares in most big cities. But it is not persuasive to explain why most small towns of 10k or 50k population don’t have public squares. I feel Americans are not interested in the idea that using town square serves social functions.

Union square of SF, ugly. Jackson square of NO, just decent. Times Square of NYC, not square. It’s a traffic intersection.