Camillo Sitte, Viennese architect and art historian, explains the disappearance of the former status of the square, he seeks the aesthetic dimension of town planning and spaces of conviviality. The characteristics of Sitte's spatial model are the continuity of the constructed elements, closure, variation, asymmetry, irregularity and the link between important elements (Choay, 1969, p. 105). According to Sitte, the closure of a square is an important element, because inside a city, a free space becomes a square only if it is effectively closed. Modern town planning tends to neglect this condition without which there is no artistic impression. Even if in ancient times we can demonstrate a complete system of closing squares, new times work on the contrary to clear squares, as they clear monuments (Sitte, 1889, trans. fr. 1902, reed., 1996, p. 35-36,44). This study comprehends the history and the architectural features of the “Jardin James Joyce” which is located behind the BNF (Bibliotheque Nationale de France or France National Library) and was built around the 1990s. This public space has some characteristics of a square regarding to the Sitte’s descriptions, however serves as a small garden located in the 13th arrondissement of Paris. This public place took its name from an Irish writer, “James Joyce” (1882-1941), but today it is dedicated to the memory of a fire occured on the night of 26 August 2005 in the boulevard Vincent Auriol.
Anahtar Kelimeler: City History, Public Place, Jardin James Joyce, Paris, 13th Arrondissement
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