Part of a series on New Orleans public spaces

As the clock is ticking on the purchase of the Chevron Building for a new City Hall, the words of Jane Jacobs come to mind. In a 2001 interview with Reason Magazine, Jacobs spoke about the destinctive nature each city should possess.  ”It should be like itself. Every city has differences, from its history, from its site, and so on. These are important,” she said. “One of the most dismal things is when you go to a city and it’s like 12 others you’ve seen. That’s not interesting, and it’s not really truthful.”

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Jackson Square, Lafayette Square and even Duncan Plaza are the unique places of which Jacobs speaks and the type of space our elected officials should strive to emulate. This must be done within a master planning process with adequate public participation and comment.

Jackson Square (originally called the Place d’Armes) was New Orleans’ first public gathering space, evolving organically and setting the stage for the developing colony. The Square provided a central location where government, commercial, private and even religious and military interests could came together in one place.

History of Jackson Square’s Development

New Orleans’ founders quickly discovered that with dangerous and unpredictable weather, soft and unstable ground and restless natives, it made sense to keep their most vital buildings in close proximity. And so it happened that the first police station, governor’s house, prison, courthouse and warehouse sprung up around this central Square over the first 10 years of the city’s development.

These buildings provided the catalyst- since people were coming to the area for official reasons anyway, they began to stick around for unofficial ones as well. Vendors sprung up along the edges of the Square, and bands began to hold evening concerts. In a time of limited options, even the drilling of the military was considered entertainment.

Location and necessity made it a natural gathering place, but the concern and backing of the City Council solidified its hold on the community. Starting in 1840 the Council started allocating money to improve the park, adding plantings, paths and the fountain.

The park’s progress accellerated when the Baroness Pontalba inherited the land around the Square after her father’s death. She considered the entire area to be her family’s true legacy and worked tirelessly to make long lasting improvements. Her father had worked for years with the Diocese to renovate the Catholic church that overlooks the Square and was even granted dispensation to be buried inside the church itself. She wanted to create a fitting tribute to her family and the city, and decided the grand apartments she had planned needed an equally grand park.

The overall design was inspired by the gardens of Palais Royale, France. The circular promenade was typical of the time and designed to give the Square an elegant feel. The Baroness petitioned to rename it after Andrew Jackson, whose leadership had carried the day in the Battle of New Orleans, the last fight of the War of 1812. The Baroness, though a private citizen, poured money into this public space and was consequently had her requests granted.

This partnership of the public and private proved hugely beneficial to everyone concerned. The City would have never been able to afford such rapid and sweeping change, the Baroness was able to improve the prospects of her own private property by improving the public space, and of course the entire community continues to reap the benefit.

What makes this an excellent public space?

According to the Project for Public Spaces, there are four main components that come together to make a truly wonderful public area:

1. Activities & Uses
   

   “Numerous things to do, attracting many different people” and “Being able to sit, converse, or just look at passersby is key.”

   Once you’re tired of eating, drinking, shopping, viewing artwork, visiting museums and even having your palm read, sitting on a bench and watching the characters (both local and tourist) can make hours disappear in moments. There’s always something new and different to watch, so a visit is always a new experience.

2. Comfort & Image
   

   “Good details can tantalize- they signal that someone took the time and energy to design amenities that welcome, intrigue or help.”

   Details large and small abound, on buildings and in nature. Beautiful and varied plantings, blooming trees and sculpture in every corner of the park compete with intricate ironwork on the Pontalbas, the stone carved details on the museums and flickering gas lamps. It is a place that evokes many memories and images that keep the locals coming back and the tourists talking about it once they get home.

3. Access & Linkage
   

   “A good place is easy to see and get to- people want to see that there is something to do, that other have been successfully enticed to enter.”

   Jackson Square’s circular sculptured pathways surrounded by a pedestrian promenade provide views from every angle, and there’s always something going on. It draws you in and makes you want to be a part of it; visitors get to experience a piece of New Orleans’ history, and the tourists’ excitement rubs off on the locals, allowing them to experience the city anew.

4. Socialibility
   

   “A good place is refreshing and rejuvenating; after you leave it, you feel better for having been there.”

   Whether you’re there to attend the French Quarter Festival, watch holiday fireworks, or to simply sit quietly on and enjoy some beignets, Jackson Square always has something to give back to the people of New Orleans and her guests.

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When a rare snow fell around the holidays of 2009, many locals ran down to Jackson Square for a photo keepsake of the event.

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As we explore other public spaces in New Orleans, comparisons to Jackson Square will be inevitable. It is the gold standard of the city, combining history, nature, government and people to form the strongest of bonds in the community. Every major turning point in New Orleans’ history has involved Jackson Square- when the Spanish came to claim their new territory, they paraded through the Square. The Louisiana Purchase was signed here. In the cultural upheavals of 1960s, Jackson Square was at the center of local protest and drama.

More recently, the President chose to give his Post-Katrina press conference in Jackson Square, validating it as a symbol of the city the whole world would recognize and unite behind. With planning and vision, Duncan Plaza could become a symbol true to New Orleans.