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Overview
Many American democratic ideals are embodied in the public spaces of its cities, especially in Washington, D.C. In L'Enfant's Legacy architect and scholar Michael Bednar explores the public spaces of the nation's capital, examining the context of the surrounding architecture and the roles of the spaces in the changing functional life of the city.
Bednar examines the ways in which L'Enfant's innovative plan of 1791, along with later developments, symbolizes and encourages democratic freedoms and traditions. In the spaces of Capitol Square, citizens expect to encounter their government directly in a dignified setting, a symbolic public forum. On the White House grounds they expect to meet the president where he works and lives. At the National Mall—America's front lawn—citizens exercise their rights of assembly and free speech, as well as play football, eat lunch, and socialize.
From historic Lincoln Square, Dupont Circle, and Judiciary Square to the newly developed Freedom Plaza, Pershing Park, and Market Square, Bednar's thoughtful study provides a fresh perspective on the role of public space in the expression of democratic ideals.
Synopsis
From historic Lincoln Square, Dupont Circle, and Judiciary Square to the newly developed Freedom Plaza, Pershing Park, and Market Square, Bednar's thoughtful study provides a fresh perspective on the role of public space in the expression of democratic ideals.
Editorials
Landscape Architecture Magazine
Anyone intrigued by the history and current condition of the historic core of our nation's capital will find this volume informative and useful.Choice
An essential bibliographic resource for the study of the nation's capital.American Interest
Provides an historical chronicle... describing the struggles to preserve and to renovate, and the resulting clashes between public and private interests they reflected.— Francis Fukuyama
Planning
This thorough reference can serve as a platform for further discussion and debate.Journal of Social History
L'Enfant's Legacy brings together for the first time an integrated overview of Washington's defining urban characteristic, and its survey quality and light analysis serve as reference for the city's landscaped spaces.— Pamela Scott