One instance of an environment that allows individuals to regulate their level of interaction but also accommodates a wide variety of users is a plaza or square. Present at varying scales as a standard feature of the city, squares are mixed-use areas in which one could, among other things, meet a friend or date, enjoy a coffee at a sidewalk café, watch a street performer, exercise a dog or child, attend a protest, or strike up a conversation with a stranger. The surrounding bustle allows for both safety and interest.
