The Power Of The Plaza

Plaza. Piazza. Place. It is a space common to many cities around the globe and its use, although a little ambiguous, is primarily to do nothing. It is a place to sit, watch, chat, meditate, ponder, eat ice cream, or otherwise be alive in a simple and joyous manner. This rather natural activity is a bit lost in American culture and explains the lack of plazas across the US landscape. We are driven, ambitious, financially-motivated and economically-minded people that prioritize work and money above almost all else. A space reserved for activities that do not further these goals is seen as an obstacle instead of a peaceful respite. American culture is known for being individually oriented and in many ways it most certainly is. However, like most things there is a small paradox in our hegemony. Despite individual importance, we all seem to sacrifice our lives for a capitalist system that provides for surprisingly few of our individual needs. Social interaction, personal fulfillment, autonomy, or health are often compromised in the pursuit of economic glory that mostly benefits only a few and leaves others in poverty. Things like healthcare and the ability to retire are not considered human rights but are instead attained through faithful servitude to a system governed by the wealthy and realized through the sweat and tears of the majority of Americans. We may think our sweat and tears are the result of our ambition as we fight for the corner office, or a higher floor, a better position in the hierarchy. Rarely do we stop to think who or what is benefiting. Surely it is not the individual, who works and works for meager raises in salary while the one at the top reaps most of the profit. While we fight for a job on a higher floor in the building rarely do we spend time on even ground, surrounded by other humans, in the blissful ignorance of their position within a hierarchy. A plaza requires no degree to enter, no schedule to conform to, and no status to achieve. Autonomy runs wild in the land of plazas and people of all walks of life are invited to feel like equal members of society. A space so simple and devoid of specific purpose enables its real value to flourish: fostering human interaction, cultivating public engagement, and promoting mutual understanding. The lack of plazas in most US cities has been both a result of and detriment to mainstream US culture. The poor and wealthy, hippie and accountant, CEO and artist, are rarely welcomed to inhabit the same space, contributing to the “othering” mentality and indifference towards fellow citizens with different lifestyles.

The power of a plaza. It may seem overstated, but I believe that is not possible. The most powerful influences are always the least tangible, because they work in ways in which the subject is unaware. What would happen if we had more plazas or similar spaces? A more cooperative, engaged society? A culture more accepting of leisure time?

When the plaza disappeared from the American landscape it took with it more than we had anticipated. A functioning democratic society with regard to people and well-being rather than economic efficiency and prosperity will hopefully return if we reimplement this lost artifact of community life.